Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Pasta (Print Version)

Velvety smooth pasta with roasted red pepper cream sauce—ready in 30 minutes.

# 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, to taste

→ Garnish

11 - 2 tbsp 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.
02 - While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and sauté for 4–5 minutes until soft and translucent. Add garlic and cook for another 1 minute.
03 - Transfer sautéed onion and garlic to a blender or food processor. Add drained roasted red peppers, heavy cream, Parmesan, 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.
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. Serve immediately, garnished with basil or parsley and extra Parmesan.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Restaurant quality velvet texture in under 30 minutes without any fancy techniques
  • The sauce comes together so effortlessly you'll find yourself making it on exhausted weeknights
02 -
  • Drain those peppers really well or your sauce will never thicken properly
  • Don't skip the pasta water—it's the secret binder that makes everything cling
03 -
  • Let the sauce cool slightly before blending to avoid hot liquid explosions
  • If your sauce looks too thick, remember the pasta water is there to save you
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