Cashew and tomato pesto or dip

If you could make one thing and use it two ways, wouldn’t that be fabulous? Sure would! Enter my cashew tomato pesto or dip. Use it as a dip or on pasta (duh) and enjoy the time you’ve saved making a nice cup of tea (or pouring a glass of wine, whatever the occasion calls for).
Quick and easy recipe
Did you get home late and everyone is super hungry? Do you have unexpected guests coming? This recipe might come in handy.
You can pull this cashew tomato pesto or dip together really quickly and easily, as you will likely already have most of the ingredients already in your fridge and pantry.
Then all you need to do is measure them out and blitz in a food processor or mixer. Done and dusted!

What is in this cashew tomato pesto?
- cashews packed with healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. These include vitamins E, K, and B-6, along with minerals like copper, phosphorus, zinc, magnesium, iron, and selenium;
- basil, a source of vitamin K, as well as beneficial plant compounds that have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and other health properties;
- tomatoes, a major dietary source of the antioxidant lycopene, which has been linked to many health benefits, including reduced risk of heart disease and cancer. They are also a great source of vitamin C, potassium, folate, and vitamin K;
- olive oil which contains beneficial fatty acids, modest amounts of vitamins E and K and powerful antioxidants which may reduce your risk of chronic diseases;
- garlic, rich in vitamin C, vitamin B6 and manganese and its consumption is known to boost the function of the immune system and reduce the blood pressure; and
- parmesan, rich in both calcium and phosphorus and as such, can be beneficial for bone health and osteoporosis prevention. It is also very low in lactose.
Sounds pretty good, doesn’t it? Yep, thought so.
This cashew tomato pesto is milder than the usual green pesto and so suitable for kids or adults who don’t think they like pesto. It doesn’t contain as much basil and the tomatoes further dilute the herby taste a little. I think this is a great introduction for little ones to the wonders of regular pesto, just in a much milder and gentler form.
Equipment required
You will need to have a mixer or a food processor to make this recipe. I use this KitchenAid mini chopper.
Recipe notes
This recipe makes enough cashew tomato pesto to use up with pasta for 2 to 4 people (depending on how hungry you are) as well as a small bowl of dip. Please adjust the amount of the ingredients as necessary.

Cashew and tomato pesto or dip
Ingredients
- scant 1 cup fresh basil leaves
- 1/3 cup raw cashews (unroasted, unsalted)
- 1/4 cup shredded parmesan
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 1 large tomato, cut into quarters
- 5 cherry tomatoes (off the vine)
Instructions
- Place all ingredients into a blender or food processor and blitz until processed but the cashews still have small chunks in them (you don't want cashew butter).
- Use as a dip with raw veggie sticks or crackers.
- If using with pasta, cook pasta first, drain the cooking water from it, then add 3-4 tbsp of the pesto to the pot with the freshly cooked pasta. Let warm through, add some extra shredded cheese, if desired, and serve.
Notes
Love dips?
You may also enjoy this sweet pepper feta dip.


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39 Comments
Christie
This cashew tomato pesto looks so creamy and delicious Katerina! I love how easy it is to make!
Anna
This recipe looks amazing! It will perfectly fit into my low carb meal plan, thank you!
Katerina
Thank you Anna, very pleased to help! Hope you love it!
Linger
I love quick and easy especially if it is full of flavor and this pesto/dip meets all those desires. Such a GREAT recipe to throw together in a moment’s time. Thanks so much for sharing.
Katerina
Thanks so much Linger! Absolutely – and it’s perfect for a party too!
Ashley
What a lovely flavor palette! I need to try this!
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
Katerina
Thanks so much Ashley – we really enjoy these flavours too!
Shannon
Yesssss! I am absolutely crazy about pesto! What a unique pesto you have here, I love it! We probably make pesto once a week (no joke!!), and I will totally have to switch things up and make your lovely recipe this week. Love the addition of tomatoes, such a great idea!
Katerina
I love that make your own pesto once a week, Shannon! I’d love your recipe, it must be a keeper! Thank you so much – I hope you enjoy this version!
sonia // daring coco
Oh yummm! This reminds me of a dip I used to buy that was roasted capsicum and cashew (stopped buying/looking because last tub I brought was full of mould). I’ve always wanted to recreate that and I think I could substitute tomato for capsicum with this! Just need to replace my broken food processor and I am good to go! Thanks for another amazing recipe!
Sxx
http://www.daringcoco.com
Katerina
Thank Sonia! Capsicum might work too thigh I haven’t tested it. There is a roasted capsicum dip recipe on the blog though, if you’re interested!
Jeff the Chef
This sounds so interesting. I’ve never had a cashew dip.
Katerina
Thanks Jeff – no time like the present!
Julia Rees
This looks delicious as well as healthy, and seems really easy to make!
I’m definitely going to give it a try
Julia x
https://www.thevelvetrunway.com/
Katerina
Thanks Julia!
Lovely
Such a healthy dip hun, I would leave out the cheese as I don’t eat it. Looks so good and easy to make, I shall give it a try.
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
Katerina
Hey Lovely! Thank you, hope you enjoy it!
Fran@Gday Souffle
Wow, this is truly a healthy dish- (I never heard of vitamin K before)! Having lived in both Australia and the US, I have a hard time adjusting to the American pronunciation of the word ‘basil’ (using a long ‘A’ sound)!
Katerina
Thanks so much, Fran!
Laura
What a creative way to make pesto! I’m always looking for something new and interesting for pasta, and love the healthy ingredients you used here! Thanks for the recipe!
Katerina
We are loving this for pasta right now. Hope you enjoy it!
Leanne
I love this Katerina! I’m a huge fan of making dips and spreads with cashews, and this tomato pesto version would be great with some crackers right now or mixed in with some zucchini noodles!
Katerina
I didn’t think of that but this pesto would be delicious with zoodles! Thank you Leanne!
sherry
this looks very healthy katerina. love the beatrix potter bowl! cheers sherry
Katerina
Thank you Sherry! Kids love the bowl 🙂
jodie filogomo
OMG…even I could do this. I would have never thought to put together the cashews and tomatoes. How brilliant.
XOXO
Jodie
Katerina
It’s such a good combo! Enjoy Jodie!!
Jill
I love a good dip and anything with cashews! This would be perfect to make for our family game night this weekend! Pinning!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Katerina
Family game nights are the best! Enjoy!
Gemma
Oh my gosh this sounds heavenly! I’ve bookmarked it as I will for sure give it a go xx
GemmaEtc.com
Katerina
Thanks very much, Gemma! I hope you enjoy it!
Amy Aed
This looks delicious! This is made with all of the ingredients that I love, so I would definitely like to try this out.
Have a good week! 🙂
Amy x Wandering Everywhere
Katerina
Thank you Amy! Hope you enjoy it.
Matt - Total Feasts
Wow, this looks really tasty. Love that you made it both pesto and a dip, I’d happily eat both!
Katerina
Thanks very much, Matt! It’s pretty versatile!
Laura Bambrick
This looks like such a delicious twist on pesto! I love to have homemade pesto on hand (I freeze it in bags to use on pasta throughout the year). I need to work this recipe into rotation when I have a basil plant again this summer!
Katerina
Thanks Laura! That’s such a good idea to freeze pesto in portions!
Renuka
Love such healthy and delectable recipes! I like the fact that you have mentioned about the nutritive value of each ingredient used.
Katerina
Thanks very much, Renuka! I like to know what I’m eating and why!