Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Pasta (Printable)

Velvety roasted red pepper sauce meets al dente pasta. A quick, budget-friendly Italian-inspired dish ready in 30 minutes.

# Ingredient list:

→ 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

# How to Make It:

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 and set aside.
02 - While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté for 4-5 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 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
05 - Add drained pasta to the skillet, tossing to coat with sauce. If needed, add reserved pasta water a little at a time to achieve desired consistency.
06 - Transfer to serving plates and garnish with fresh basil or parsley and additional Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The sauce comes together in under 15 minutes but tastes like it simmered all afternoon
  • Jarred roasted red peppers create this incredible velvety texture that feels indulgent without heavy cream overload
  • It's the perfect backup plan for nights when takeout sounds too tempting but you still want something special
02 -
  • If you're using a high-speed blender, be careful blending hot ingredients—the pressure buildup can cause splatters. Leave the steam vent open or wait a few minutes for the sautéed aromatics to cool slightly
  • The sauce thickens as it sits off the heat, so err on the side of slightly thinner when you're tossing everything together
  • Reserved pasta water is your insurance policy. If your sauce separates or gets too thick, a splash brings it right back to life
03 -
  • Double the sauce and freeze half for a future meal—thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently
  • The sauce works beautifully over grilled vegetables or as a dipping sauce for crusty bread
  • If it's too spicy, add a touch more cream or a drizzle of honey to balance the heat
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