Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Pasta (Printable)

Luscious roasted red pepper sauce coats penne in this velvety, quick weeknight pasta ready in 30 minutes.

# What you'll need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz penne or fettuccine

→ Sauce Base

02 - 1 (12 oz) jar 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

→ Garnish

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

# How-To Steps:

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 soft and translucent. Add garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Transfer sautéed vegetables to a blender. Add drained peppers, heavy cream, Parmesan, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes. Purée until completely smooth.
04 - Return sauce to skillet over low-medium heat. Simmer 3–4 minutes, stirring frequently. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
05 - Add drained pasta to skillet, tossing to coat. Add reserved pasta water as needed for consistency. Serve immediately topped with basil and extra Parmesan.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It transforms humble jarred peppers into restaurant quality sauce in minutes
  • The creamy smoky flavor tastes like you spent hours simmering
  • Everything blends into one silky coating that clings beautifully to pasta
02 -
  • Reserving pasta water is non negotiable, it creates the silkiest sauce consistency
  • Let the sauce cool slightly before blending to avoid hot splatter
  • Taste before adding salt since the peppers and Parmesan are already salty
03 -
  • For extra protein, stir in shredded rotisserie chicken at the end
  • A splash of white wine in the sauce while simmering adds brightness
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