Reviewed: Dec. 16, 2012

Made this for a holiday party yesterday. I did drain the pesto which I purchased in the refrigerated deli section of the store. Also drained the Sun Dried tomatoes I diced and put on top. There was a lot of food at the party but everyone who tried this loved it. I would probably be a bit more careful layering it next time and maybe try it with the roasted peppers as well.

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Reviewer:

GABRIELLAM

Cooking Level: Intermediate

Home Town: Bonn, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany

Living In: Mundelein, Illinois, USA

Reviewed: Apr. 19, 2012

This was so easy and so delicious! I used a smaller au gratin pan and put one package of cream cheesethen spread the pesto, then spread the chopped roasted peppers (I used Trader Joe's prepared pesto and their yellow and red roasted peppers). Then one more package of creamcheese. I didn't drain the pesto and probably could have let the peppers drain a little more but it was fine. The oil from both definitely seeped into the torta but it wasn't runny. It actually added to the spread. Will definitely make again.

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Reviewer:

GinaBean

Cooking Level: Beginning

Reviewed: Aug. 23, 2011

This is soooo good and easy to make. I do substitute sun dried tomato paste for the red bell pepper paste. I like serving it with the miniature bread slices as pictured. My 2 stepkids, myself and my husband can eat this whole thing in about 10 minutes.

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Reviewer:

leahmcc311

Reviewed: Aug. 19, 2010

Fantastic... I changed a main ingredient though - I prefer to use diced sun dried tomatoes (in oil, drained) in place of the red peppers. I also top with shredded parmesan cheese.

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Reviewer:

Flower Fan

Cooking Level: Intermediate

Living In: Chicago, Illinois, USA

Reviewed: Aug. 14, 2009

I must say....this was a HUGE hit at bunco tonight. I used a round bowl rather than loaf pan as my mold and included the roasted bell peppers in the layering process. The presentation was beautiful and the taste was exceptional.

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Reviewer:

Kimberly

Cooking Level: Intermediate

Living In: Wynne, Arkansas, USA

Reviewed: Jan. 21, 2009

Wow! This was so good. I am practicing recipes in preperation of throwing a baby shower so I tested the Pesto Torta on my friends last weekend. I can't explain how addicting it is. We used crostini, sesame crackers, and when we ran out of those resorted to using pieces of corn tortilla to dip into it. I actually finished off the last few tablespoons of it by just eating it by itself. It's excellent. I used a jar of sliced red and yellow roasted bell peppers from Trader Joes but next time I'll buy 2 jars because the pesto took over all of the flavors (which I'm not complaining about at all :)

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Reviewer:

Bentley's Mom

Reviewed: Oct. 9, 2008

I made this as a app. for an Itilian dinner at my home. I doubled the cream cheese and added extra layers of the chopped drained red peppers. You must drain your pesto or you will end up with an oily mess!!! I used a bread loaf pan as my mold, it came out perfect. I served 20 people and had plenty, plus several request for the recipe. Thanks for a great, easy idea!

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Reviewer:

Beth

Cooking Level: Expert

Reviewed: Mar. 6, 2008

Good flavor but very oily so when I took it out of the form it just fell into a big lump. I may try it again but I will have to think of a different way

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Reviewer:

TML0701

Cooking Level: Expert

Living In: Rochester, New York, USA

Reviewed: Mar. 5, 2008

Five stars for an easy, impressive appetizer. I halved the recipe for a group of 6 - I did have other appetizers also, and it was plenty. I cut my cream cheese in half and shaped each square into a flat round shape. Chopped & dried my red peppers on a paper towel. On the finished product, I pressed chopped green onions around the sides. Lovely. Next time I may try seasoning the cream cheese with some garlic? Served with water crackers.

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Reviewer:

Jennifer C.

Home Town: Plymouth, Minnesota, USA

Living In: Minnetonka, Minnesota, USA

Reviewed: Feb. 3, 2008

To make it even simpler, I used one block of cream cheese, cutting a zig zag pattern through the middle, reversed the two pieces to create a Christmas tree. Topped with pesto, and smaller pieces of the red peppers in rows looking like lights. Then a friend broke a Triscuit cracker in half to make the trunk. Looked great and tasted even better.

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