Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Pasta (Printable Version)

Luscious red pepper sauce coats pasta in this 30-minute meal, perfect for busy weeknights.

# What You Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz penne or fettuccine

→ Sauce Base

02 - 1 jar (12 oz) roasted red peppers, drained
03 - 2 tbsp 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 tsp smoked paprika
09 - 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
10 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Garnish

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

# How To Make:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and sauté 4–5 minutes until translucent. Add garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Transfer onion and garlic to a blender. Add roasted red peppers, heavy cream, Parmesan, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes. Blend until completely smooth.
04 - Return sauce to the skillet over low-medium heat. Simmer 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
05 - Add drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat. Add reserved pasta water as needed for consistency. Serve immediately topped with fresh herbs and extra Parmesan.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The sauce comes together in minutes but tastes like something from a restaurant
  • Most ingredients live in your pantry or freezer, making it perfect for last-minute dinners
  • That gorgeous red color makes everyone assume you cooked all day
02 -
  • Let the blender run longer than you think necessary, at least 30 seconds, for that restaurant-smooth texture
  • Pasta water is your secret weapon, adding starchy creaminess if sauce gets too thick
  • The sauce continues thickening as it stands, so err on slightly thinner when tossing
03 -
  • Warm your cream slightly before blending to help everything emulsify more smoothly
  • If your blender struggles with hot mixtures, let the onion and garlic cool for just a couple minutes first
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