Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Pasta (Printable Version)

Velvety pasta with roasted red pepper sauce—ready in 30 minutes for easy weeknight dining.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz penne or fettuccine

→ Sauce

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

# How To Make It:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta 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 for 4–5 minutes until soft. Add garlic and cook 1 minute.
03 - Transfer onion and garlic to a blender. Add roasted peppers, cream, Parmesan, paprika, and red pepper flakes. Blend until smooth.
04 - Return sauce to skillet over low-medium heat. Simmer 3–4 minutes, stirring. Season with salt and pepper.
05 - Add pasta to skillet, tossing to coat. Add reserved pasta water as needed for consistency. Serve garnished with basil and extra Parmesan.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The sauce comes together in minutes but tastes like it simmered all afternoon
  • Jarred peppers make this luxurious dinner accessible on a Tuesday night budget
02 -
  • Hot cream can explode in blenders, so let your sautéed veggies cool slightly before blending or vent your blender carefully
  • That reserved pasta water is liquid gold, do not dump it down the drain until you have finished seasoning
03 -
  • Let the blender run for a full minute to ensure the sauce is completely smooth
  • Taste before serving, smoked paprika varies by brand so adjust accordingly
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