Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Beef Crostini Appetizer

An easy sun-dried tomato pesto gives this beef crostini incredibly rich flavor. I guarantee it will disappear quickly at any party.

Good Food Makes for Good Times

The end-of-year holiday season is one usually filled with all kinds of get-togethers. Family gatherings, work parties, New Year’s celebrations, it’s all happening around this time.

We traditionally host Christmas Eve with the immediate family which also, at times, expands to our extended family. Christmas Day is with the kids and their families and for years, we also hosted a family and friends New Years Eve party. Add in September, October and November birthdays, plus whatever else comes along, and time to plan and cook for entertaining can get limited!

However, the one constant is there is always a lot of food and fun when we get together. Good food always seems to bring a little magic to any gathering and one of my favorite ways to lift the spirits of those attending. Whether it’s something as simple as some bread and artisan cheeses, crackers with a little cream cheese dip, a grilled burger or a fancy dinner, good food is something that simply brings people together.

An Elegant Appetizer: Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Beef Crostini

So, today finds me getting our house back in order and preparing for the next party and the next wave of entertaining. Which leads me to this amazing beef crostini. It really is a great combo of pesto, roast beef and toasted bread.

It’s such an elegant appetizer, it’s a fairly easy recipe, and you can find all the ingredients at your local grocery store. It really is a snap to make and most of the work can be done ahead of time.

What really makes this beef crostini special, is the sun-dried tomato pesto. It only takes a few minutes to whip up, and when paired with the beef, brings a special variety of flavors that is hard to beat.

So, whether you’re having a few friends over on New Year’s Eve or going to a big party, this is a perfect appetizer for those get-togethers. 

A Delicious Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto

With a handful of simple ingredients, you can create a pesto masterpiece! You just puree the sundried tomatoes along with cheese and some spices. The best way to do that is with a food processor or blender.

Not only is this pesto great in this recipe, but it also can be used as a delicious sandwich spread. Try it and I guarantee you will love it!

Juicy Roast Beef to Top the Crostini

We really are down to a handful of ingredients as we have a beef tenderloin seasoned with salt and pepper. That’s it!

Once you do a quick sear in the skillet, you put it in the oven to finishing cooking. When that’s done, you let it rest for a few minutes and thinly slice. You’re ready to go.

Making Your Little Toasts!

The easiest part of the recipe! Thinly slice your baguette, drizzle with olive oil and put the bread slices in the oven until they are golden brown and toasted. Now you’re ready to assemble.

Assemble Now or Make Ahead

I like to prepare all of the components of this crostini ahead of time (in no particular order), other than toasting the bread. The sun dried tomato pesto and beef can be kept in the refrigerator until you are ready to toast the bread. I like to take the pesto and beef out of the fridge such that there is time for both to come to room temperature before putting everything together. 

Shortly before I’m ready to serve it, I will toast the bread and assemble the crostini. Then, to finish things off, I top it all with a little arugula for some peppery flavor, a little drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of parmesan.  

These are such a great snack, that once the party starts, watch them disappear!

Enjoy!

Tips and Tricks

• If you’re pressed for time, you can substitute store-bought tomato pesto.
• The homemade sun-dried tomato pesto can be made up to 2 days ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
• The beef filet should be 1 to 1-1/3 inches thick. This will ensure that the slices are wide enough to cover most of the baguette slices.
• In my opinion, the filet tastes best somewhere between medium and medium rare. This cut of beef is relatively lean, so if it’s cooked beyond medium it will tend to be dry.
• Resting the beef after cooking will allow the juices to redistribute, which will help the beef to be nice and juicy.
• If you don’t care for arugula, you can substitute micro-greens.

Ingredients Needed to Make Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Beef Crostini

Full instructions can be found below in the recipe card

• Sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil
• Fresh basil leaves
• Grated parmesan cheese
• Dry Italian seasoning
• Red pepper flakes
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Extra-virgin olive oil 
• Beef tenderloin filet
• Baguette
• Arugula

How to Make Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Beef Crostini

Make the Pesto

• Add sun-dried tomatoes, including the oil they’re packed in along with the basil, parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper to a blender or food processor.
• Process mixture until pureed.
• While machine is running, slowly drizzle in 1/2 cup olive oil.
• Keep processing until oil is well-incorporated.

Cook the Beef

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Season beef on both sided with salt and pepper.
• Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.
• Sear beef for 2 minutes on each side.
• Transfer beef in the skillet to preheated oven.
• Bake for 10 minutes for medium rare or 12-13 minutes for medium.
• Remove beef from oven, cover loosely with aluminum foil and allow to rest for 10 minutes.
• Thinly slice beef across the grain.

Toast the Bread

• Cut baguette on a diagonal into 1/2 inch thick slices and place on a baking sheet.
• Drizzle both sides of bread with olive oil.
• Bake in a 350 degree oven for about 10 minutes, until bread is toasted.

Assemble the Crostini

• Spread about 1 tsp of pesto on each slice of bread.
• Top with a slice of beef and a little arugula.
• Drizzle the crostini with a little olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

More Delicious Crostini Recipes

• French Onion Cheese Toasts
• Warm Caprese Toast
• Italian Sausage and White Bean Bruschetta
• Roasted Cranberry Ricotta Crostini
• Heirloom Tomato Bruschetta

ENJOY!