Roasted Red Pepper Pasta (Printable Version)

Vibrant pasta dish featuring sweet roasted red peppers in a creamy sauce with garlic and Parmesan. Vegetarian and ready in 35 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz penne or rigatoni pasta

→ Roasted Red Pepper Sauce

02 - 2 large red bell peppers or 12 oz jarred roasted red peppers, drained
03 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
04 - 1 small yellow onion, diced
05 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
07 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
08 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
09 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
10 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Garnish

11 - Fresh basil leaves, torn
12 - Extra grated Parmesan cheese

# Directions:

01 - If using fresh red bell peppers, roast them over an open flame or under the broiler until the skin is charred. Place in a bowl, cover, and let steam for 10 minutes. Peel, deseed, and roughly chop.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until soft. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add the roasted red peppers to the skillet. Cook for 2 minutes, then transfer the mixture to a blender or use an immersion blender in the pan. Blend until smooth.
05 - Return the sauce to the skillet over low heat. Stir in heavy cream, Parmesan, oregano, and red pepper flakes if using. Season with salt and black pepper. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until heated through. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water as needed.
06 - Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to coat evenly.
07 - Serve immediately, garnished with fresh basil and extra Parmesan.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It tastes luxurious and complex but comes together in the time it takes to boil pasta.
  • The sauce is naturally sweet from the peppers, so even picky eaters tend to love it.
  • You can make it with jarred peppers and still get incredible flavor.
  • It reheats beautifully, which means leftovers actually get better the next day.
02 -
  • Don't skip salting your pasta water, it's the only chance you have to season the pasta itself.
  • If your sauce splits or looks grainy, it's too hot, lower the heat before adding the cream and cheese.
  • Jarred roasted peppers work just as well as fresh, just drain them well so the sauce doesn't get watery.
03 -
  • Blend the sauce longer than you think you need to, a completely smooth texture makes it feel restaurant quality.
  • Toss the pasta in the sauce over low heat for a minute so it absorbs the flavor instead of just being coated.
  • Always finish with fresh herbs and cheese at the table, it makes the dish feel special even on a weeknight.
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