Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Pasta (Printer version)

Silky pasta with roasted red peppers in a luscious cream sauce. Ready in 30 minutes—vegetarian and budget-friendly.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz penne or fettuccine pasta

→ Sauce

02 - 1 (12 oz) jar roasted red peppers, drained
03 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
04 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
07 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
08 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
09 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
10 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Garnish

11 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or parsley
12 - Additional Parmesan cheese for serving

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
02 - While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until soft and translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Transfer sautéed onion and garlic to a blender or food processor. Add drained roasted red peppers, heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes. Blend until smooth and creamy.
04 - Return the sauce to the skillet over low-medium heat. Simmer for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
05 - Add drained pasta to the skillet, tossing to coat evenly with sauce. If needed, add reserved pasta water a little at a time to achieve desired consistency.
06 - Serve immediately, garnished with fresh basil or parsley and extra Parmesan cheese.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The sauce comes together in minutes but tastes like something from a restaurant
  • jarred roasted red peppers make it surprisingly affordable and accessible
02 -
  • The sauce thickens quickly as it cools so add that pasta water even if it looks thin at first
  • blending hot liquids can cause splatters so either vent your blender or let it cool slightly
03 -
  • Room temperature cream blends more smoothly than cold straight from the fridge
  • If your sauce looks grainy after blending keep going another 30 seconds
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