Description
A creamy roasted red pepper pasta featuring sweet roasted peppers, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and a touch of heavy cream to create a rich and flavorful sauce. This easy vegetarian Italian dinner is ready in just 30 minutes and perfect for a comforting weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 12 oz (340 g) pasta (penne, rigatoni, or fettuccine)
Sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 jar (16 oz) roasted red peppers, drained
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- ¼ cup reserved pasta water
Garnish
- Fresh basil, chopped
- Optional: red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Reserve ¼ cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
- Sauté garlic: In a skillet over medium heat, warm the olive oil and sauté the minced garlic for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Blend the sauce: In a blender, combine the drained roasted red peppers, sautéed garlic, heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Blend until the mixture is completely smooth.
- Simmer the sauce: Pour the blended sauce back into the skillet and simmer gently for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Toss pasta with sauce: Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat evenly in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh basil and red pepper flakes (if using) over the pasta before serving for added flavor and a bit of heat.
Notes
- Add grilled chicken or shrimp to boost protein content.
- Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter sauce option.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
