It's a common misconception that pesto is just one thing: the green one from Genoa! While I absolutely love pesto alla Genovese, the world of pesto doesn't stop there. There are all kinds of pesto sauces in Italy, but this particular one is inspired by Sicilian tomato pesto - also known as "Pesto alla Trapanese". What makes it different from Pesto Alla Genovese is that it uses almonds as opposed to pine nuts, and gets finished with fresh tomatoes, which are bountiful in the south. In Sicily, they use the Pachino tomato - which are small, sweet, and similar to cherry tomatoes. The addition of tomatoes gives the entire sauce a much lighter, brighter flavor.
This is such a great condiment to have on hand during summer. I like to keep it in a jar and use it as needed over the course of a few days! It's so good tossed with pasta and a bit of fresh mozzarella, used on crostini, served with grilled proteins or veggies, and even just as a condiment on a cheese board. This Sicilian tomato pesto adds such a refreshing, summery flavor to every dish!
In the bowl of a food processor or high speed blender, pulse the almonds and garlic together until finely chopped. Add the basil, tomatoes, salt and pepper flakes and pulse again to combine. With the motor running, add the oil in a thin stream until combined. Remove the sauce to a bowl and stir in the parmesan cheese.
Serve tossed with pasta and fresh mozzarella, as a spread on crostini, on vegetables or protein.
@Lisa definitely! We recommend freezing it in an ice cube tray to make it easier to only defrost the portions that you want.
Lisa - Sep 14
★★★★★
★★★★★
This recipe is amazing! The perfect thing to make when you have an abundance of cherry tomatoes. Wondering if this recipe can be frozen without the cheese and made at a later date. I would have the cheese after the pesto defrosted your thoughts are appreciated.
The Giadzy Kitchen - Oct 24
@Eva Yes! Giada prefers to freeze pesto in ice trays for easy portioned-out amounts.
Eva - Oct 24
Can this be frozen?
DC - Jul 26
Can this be stored in the refrigerator, and if so, for how long?
Deanna Jones - Jun 09
★★★★★
★★★★★
I’m not easily impressed, saw this a few days ago and knew that I had to make it asap, well off to the store I went to get ingredients, made it Saturday evening with rigatoni pasta and also made garlic bread to dip it in.. let me just say that it will be on my make list for this summer, it is absolutely delicious. Next time I’ll add salmon or shrimp to this delicious sauce.. bravo Gilda, this one is a win.
Dona Wolf-Caldwell - Jun 09
★★★★★
★★★★★
Since it’s the end of the season I wanted to use my basil up before it was too late and found this recipe. I always make Giana’s classic pesto recipe which is delicious but found this one and it looked interesting so I made it the other day for a party and it is just amazing! I put it in a bowl with crackers and everyone gobbled it up. I will be making this recipe frequently. Thanks Giada for another great recipe!
Marjolein LeBlond - Jun 09
★★★★★
★★★★★
This is a total hit for our family. I have roasted the tomatoes and the garlic but the rest I followed to the dot. Made also fresh spaghetti with it (I have a machine, so all done in about 15 mins) and mini green asparagus with prosciutto
Christine Faithful - Jun 09
★★★★★
★★★★★
Made this tonight, absolutely delicious 😋
Melissa Nicewander - Jun 09
★★★★★
★★★★★
Best recipe of the summer!! So easy, so fresh, so delicious! Definitely add the fresh mozzarella topping at the end, it really gives it that icing on the cake.
Mikelyn Mulvaney - Jun 09
Hi! Do I need to store leftovers in the fridge?
Kathy Urbano - Jun 09
★★★★★
★★★★★
This is the pesto I remember as a child! My grandfather who was born in Fraine, Chieti and he used to make this when he had an abundance of tomatoes from the garden. We had it with Busiate pasta. This recipe is a gem! Thank you for helping me relive so many great childhood memories one recipe at a time!!
Lindsey Johanson - Jun 09
★★★★★
★★★★★
So. dang. good! Who knew there was more than one type of pesto? Made this for my husband and he loved it!
Anna Seiter - Jun 09
★★★★★
★★★★★
This is a delicious tomato pesto for pasta and crostini! Used my garden tomatoes and basil. We all loved it!
Cara Gatrell - Jun 09
★★★★★
★★★★★
This tasted as good as it looks! Whole family loved it on pasta and I'm using the leftover pesto for crostini's tonight—so easy too. Perfect for entertaining too, I know it will be one of those dishes that people will want the recipe for and ask where I got it :)
Tim O'Brien - Jun 09
★★★★★
★★★★★
Just made it with my bounty of cherry tomatoes ? and fresh ? I love the flavor and cannot wait to use it on everything.
Shannon Thomasser - Jun 09
I even had it over eggs this morning and it was fabulous!
Shannon Thomasser - Jun 09
★★★★★
★★★★★
Holy cow! This is the most wonderful, different pesto we have ever had! Used our garden veggies to make this. We had it over homemade French bread that we grilled and it was fabulous. Already shared the recipe with a ton of people! Thank you so much!
Elizabeth Lampman - Jun 09
Perhaps it was the anemic, store bought cherry tomatos, but this was a little dissappointing. Not a lot of flavor, I did add a little more cheese to buzz it up but probably would not make this again.
Erika Hattenhauer - Jun 09
With the amount of homegrown cherry tomatoes coming my way, this recipe lends itself very useful! I tossed generously with freshly made orecchiette and sprinkled on more grated parmesan. I'm hooked. È eccellente!
Elke Tilton - Jun 09
Delicious! Probably too spicy for kids but heavenly ! I didn’t even add the parm yet and still mouth watering.
Tachara Salazar - Jun 09
What is the serving size for the nutrition content??
Tachara Salazar - Jun 09
Loove this!! It’s delicious and everyone in the house dug it too!
Elizabeth Richter - Jun 09
I have purchased a store version of this. So happy to see a recipe so I can make it myself. Thank you!
heloisa hewitt - Jun 09
Hello Giada! Loved it. I leave in Brazil and your program is one of the best here – food network! I loved this recipe! I would like to suggest one thing. …. If you could put a picture of the recipe on the print version !!!!!!!! it would be more interesting in case we have to print it ! Thak you!
27 comments
@Lisa definitely! We recommend freezing it in an ice cube tray to make it easier to only defrost the portions that you want.
This recipe is amazing! The perfect thing to make when you have an abundance of cherry tomatoes. Wondering if this recipe can be frozen without the cheese and made at a later date. I would have the cheese after the pesto defrosted your thoughts are appreciated.
@Eva Yes! Giada prefers to freeze pesto in ice trays for easy portioned-out amounts.
Can this be frozen?
Can this be stored in the refrigerator, and if so, for how long?
I’m not easily impressed, saw this a few days ago and knew that I had to make it asap, well off to the store I went to get ingredients, made it Saturday evening with rigatoni pasta and also made garlic bread to dip it in.. let me just say that it will be on my make list for this summer, it is absolutely delicious. Next time I’ll add salmon or shrimp to this delicious sauce.. bravo Gilda, this one is a win.
Since it’s the end of the season I wanted to use my basil up before it was too late and found this recipe. I always make Giana’s classic pesto recipe which is delicious but found this one and it looked interesting so I made it the other day for a party and it is just amazing! I put it in a bowl with crackers and everyone gobbled it up. I will be making this recipe frequently. Thanks Giada for another great recipe!
This is a total hit for our family. I have roasted the tomatoes and the garlic but the rest I followed to the dot. Made also fresh spaghetti with it (I have a machine, so all done in about 15 mins) and mini green asparagus with prosciutto
Made this tonight, absolutely delicious 😋
Best recipe of the summer!! So easy, so fresh, so delicious! Definitely add the fresh mozzarella topping at the end, it really gives it that icing on the cake.
Hi! Do I need to store leftovers in the fridge?
This is the pesto I remember as a child! My grandfather who was born in Fraine, Chieti and he used to make this when he had an abundance of tomatoes from the garden. We had it with Busiate pasta. This recipe is a gem! Thank you for helping me relive so many great childhood memories one recipe at a time!!
So. dang. good! Who knew there was more than one type of pesto? Made this for my husband and he loved it!
This is a delicious tomato pesto for pasta and crostini! Used my garden tomatoes and basil. We all loved it!
This tasted as good as it looks! Whole family loved it on pasta and I'm using the leftover pesto for crostini's tonight—so easy too. Perfect for entertaining too, I know it will be one of those dishes that people will want the recipe for and ask where I got it :)
Just made it with my bounty of cherry tomatoes ? and fresh ? I love the flavor and cannot wait to use it on everything.
I even had it over eggs this morning and it was fabulous!
Holy cow! This is the most wonderful, different pesto we have ever had! Used our garden veggies to make this. We had it over homemade French bread that we grilled and it was fabulous. Already shared the recipe with a ton of people! Thank you so much!
Perhaps it was the anemic, store bought cherry tomatos, but this was a little dissappointing. Not a lot of flavor, I did add a little more cheese to buzz it up but probably would not make this again.
With the amount of homegrown cherry tomatoes coming my way, this recipe lends itself very useful! I tossed generously with freshly made orecchiette and sprinkled on more grated parmesan. I'm hooked. È eccellente!
Delicious! Probably too spicy for kids but heavenly ! I didn’t even add the parm yet and still mouth watering.
What is the serving size for the nutrition content??
Loove this!! It’s delicious and everyone in the house dug it too!
I have purchased a store version of this. So happy to see a recipe so I can make it myself. Thank you!
Hello Giada! Loved it. I leave in Brazil and your program is one of the best here – food network! I loved this recipe! I would like to suggest one thing. …. If you could put a picture of the recipe on the print version !!!!!!!! it would be more interesting in case we have to print it ! Thak you!