Crispy smashed red potatoes are drizzled in a flavorful basil pesto and topped with lots of Parmesan cheese for an easy and addicting side dish!
I like a little green anywhere and everywhere this time of year, friends. SOLELY in the form of pesto, mind you.
Obviously cheese is gonna be a given and not far behind. And not lacking in nice-sized amounts either. Can I get a HECK YES to the smashed red potatoes that hold all this spoken goodness??
Ever since these smashed sweet potatoes a few months ago, I’ve been mildly obsessed with smashing my potatoes flat as a pancake and covering ’em with goodies.
These are the kinda things that just excite me a lot, guys.
These smashed red potatoes are basically just about the easiest dinner side you could ever make, friends. Check it out. —>
- Roast up a ton of little baby red potatoes.
- While that goes down, make your homemade basil pesto.—none of that jarred stuff, please.
- Once your potatoes are very tender, SMASH ’em flat. I like to use the bottom of a mason jar for this job.
- Smother those flatsos in your pesto and cheese and it’s back to the oven for just a little bit longer.
Once they’re crispy and the cheese is bubbly, you know you just did a very good thing. ??
These potatoes are SO good on their own or with basically any protein you want. Just make sure you make LOTS of them because I kid you not with the level of addicting they possess.
Also, save me one or 5? I mean, if you have leftovers of course. ??
Parmesan Basil Pesto Smashed Red Potatoes
Ingredients
Basil Pesto
- 1 cup tightly-packed basil leaves
- 1/3 cup pine nuts
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Smashed Red Potatoes
- 10-12 small red potatoes, scrubbed and pricked with a fork
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
Basil Pesto
- In a food processor, pulse basil, pine nuts, and garlic while drizzling olive oil through top until pesto is smooth, scraping down sides as necessary. Season pesto with salt and pepper to taste. Set pesto aside in refrigerator.
Smashed Red Potatoes
- Rub potatoes with olive oil and place on a greased baking sheet. Roast potatoes at 425F 40-45 minutes or until very tender.
- Immediately smash potatoes flat with a potato masher. Drizzle with basil pesto and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Roast potatoes an additional 10-15 minutes until potatoes are crispy and cheese is bubbly and browned. Season potatoes with salt and pepper to taste and serve warm. Enjoy!
[email protected] says
Considering I adore red potatoes AND pesto I think I would definitely love these! They look like such tasty little bites!!
Sarah says
They’re seriously so hard to stop eating! Thanks Ashley. <3
marcie says
You’ve got everything covered here Sarah — I love it all! Potatoes, pesto and cheese are 3 of my favorite things, making these very dangerous to have around me. 🙂 I don’t make smashed potatoes enough and need to change that — I see these happening soon!
Sarah says
Smashed potatoes are LITERALLY life-changing, Marcie! You’ve so got to try these!
[email protected] Sunday says
I can see why these would be your favorite potatoes. Just by looking at them, I can tell they’d fast become of favorite of mine too.
I just bought a jar of pine nuts the other day and I’ve been wondering what to do with the rest. This is perfect for the menu for the weekend!
Sarah says
Please let me know how these turn out if you try them, Richard! I guarantee they’ll become your favorite too. 🙂
Harmonium guru says
Just made this…..unbelievably good! I could have devoured it all!!!!
Sarah says
So glad to hear you enjoyed!
[email protected] says
i love Potatoes!
I want to know how delicious it is? I will do them on tonight. thank you
Sarah says
Let me know if you try these potatoes, Lisa!
Charles D.Wright says
Wow! This is a great article.
I really love Potatoes!
Today, I will make it for my son.
Thanks Sarah.
Mary Gardner says
Your photos are amazing! What’s camera you using?
Roland Campbell says
Great Recipe! I love potatoes and you pictures just makes me feel hungry.
I’ld give this recipe a try this weekend. Hope i don’t screw it
J.West says
Cant wait to try this my self. Looks so delicious, hope my family will approve my cooking 😀
Thanks for sharing!
James Wood says
This looks like a yummy recipe. Very quick and easy to prepare. Thanks for posting, my family enjoyed it so much.