Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Pasta Recipe

The Creamiest Roasted Red Pepper Pasta Recipe Ever

Creamy roasted red pepper pasta promises a vibrant culinary adventure that revolutionizes ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary.

Bold Mediterranean flavors dance across your palate with remarkable depth and complexity.

red peppers, when carefully roasted, develop a rich sweetness that elevates this classic comfort dish.

Smooth, velvety sauce embraces each pasta strand, creating a harmonious blend of textures and tastes.

Robust seasonings complement the natural smokiness of caramelized peppers, ensuring every bite bursts with incredible intensity.

Home cooks seeking a delightful weeknight meal will appreciate how quickly this recipe comes together.

The magic happens when simple ingredients merge into a luxurious, restaurant-worthy experience.

Why Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Pasta Is Bold and Comforting

  • Unleash Rich, Smoky Flavor: The roasted red peppers create an incredible depth of flavor that transforms an ordinary pasta dish into a restaurant-quality meal with minimal effort.
  • Creamy Comfort in Minutes: This recipe delivers a luxurious, velvety sauce that comes together in just 20 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners when you crave something special.
  • Versatile One-Pan Wonder: The simple blending and simmering technique allows home cooks of any skill level to create a gourmet-tasting pasta without complicated cooking methods or extensive kitchen skills.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Crowd Convenience: With its smooth, mild flavor profile and easy customization options, this pasta appeals to both kids and adults, making it an ideal family meal that everyone will love.

What You’ll Need for Roasted Red Pepper Pasta

Pasta Base:
  • Linguine: Hearty pasta shape perfect for holding creamy sauce, choose good quality bronze-cut pasta for better texture.
  • Parmesan: Sharp, aged cheese adding rich umami flavor, freshly grated provides best melting and taste.
Sauce Components:
  • Roasted Red Peppers: Sweet, smoky base for sauce, jarred peppers provide convenient and consistent flavor.
  • Heavy Cream: Luxurious, smooth base creating rich and velvety sauce texture.
  • Butter: Adds depth and helps create silky sauce consistency.
Aromatic Enhancers:
  • White Onion, Garlic: Classic flavor foundation providing depth and subtle sweetness to sauce.
  • Fresh Parsley: Bright, fresh herb adding color and light herbal notes.
  • Smoked Paprika, Chilli Flakes: Spices bringing warmth and complexity to the dish.
  • Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasoning for balancing and enhancing overall flavor profile.

Cooking Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Pasta the Easy Way

Step 1: Boil the Pasta

Cook the pasta in generously salted water until perfectly tender. Use a large pot and stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Choose penne, fusilli, or your favorite pasta shape.

Step 2: Prepare the Roasted Red Peppers

Drain jarred roasted red peppers carefully. Pat them dry with paper towels to remove excess liquid. Slice peppers into manageable pieces.

Step 3: Sauté Flavor Builders

Heat a skillet with butter over medium heat. Add:
  • Diced onions
  • Minced garlic

Cook until onions become translucent and fragrant, stirring frequently to prevent burning.

Step 4: Create Silky Sauce Base

Transfer sautéed onions and garlic to a blender. Add roasted red peppers and blend until completely smooth and creamy. The sauce should have a vibrant orange-red color.

Step 5: Simmer and Enrich

Pour blended sauce back into the skillet. Gently simmer and stir in heavy cream, creating a luxurious texture. Let the sauce bubble softly without rapid boiling.

Step 6: Season and Enhance

Stir in seasonings:
  • Grated parmesan cheese
  • Chopped fresh parsley
  • Smoked paprika
  • Salt
  • Black pepper

Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

Step 7: Marry Pasta and Sauce

Add cooked pasta directly into the sauce. Toss thoroughly, ensuring every pasta strand gets coated with the creamy red pepper goodness.

Step 8: Final Touches

Plate the pasta in warm bowls. Sprinkle extra parmesan and fresh parsley on top. Serve immediately while hot and steaming.

Tips for a Smooth and Velvety Pepper Pasta Sauce

  • Roast Peppers at Home: Skip store-bought jarred peppers and roast your own bell peppers for deeper, more authentic smoky flavor.
  • Control Sauce Consistency: Adjust sauce thickness by adding pasta water if too thick or simmering longer if too thin.
  • Enhance Creaminess: Use full-fat cream for a richer, more luxurious sauce that clings perfectly to the pasta.
  • Elevate Flavor Depth: Toast smoked paprika in the pan briefly before adding to release its complex, warming notes.
  • Prevent Sauce Separation: Keep heat low when adding cream and stir constantly to maintain smooth, silky texture.

How to Keep Roasted Red Pepper Pasta Fresh

  • Refrigerate: Transfer leftover pasta to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
  • Cool Down: Allow the pasta to cool completely before sealing to prevent condensation and soggy texture.
  • Reheat Gently: Warm the pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of cream or water to restore moisture and prevent drying out.

Great Pairings for Creamy Red Pepper Pasta

  • Pair with Crisp White Wine: Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio perfectly complements the creamy, smoky red pepper sauce with their bright acidity and light, refreshing character.
  • Match with Rustic Bread: Serve a crusty ciabatta or sourdough slice alongside the pasta to soak up the rich, velvety sauce and add a delightful textural contrast.
  • Choose Herb-Infused Salad: Create a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to cut through the pasta's creaminess and provide a fresh, peppery counterpoint to the roasted red pepper flavors.
  • Add Protein Side Kick: Grilled chicken or seared shrimp can elevate this dish, bringing additional protein and a complementary smoky note that enhances the red pepper's depth.

Variations to Spice Up Roasted Red Pepper Pasta

  • Smoky Mediterranean Fusion: Replace smoked paprika with za'atar spice blend, adding crumbled feta cheese and chopped kalamata olives for a Greek-inspired version.
  • Spicy Roasted Tomato Alternative: Swap roasted red peppers with fire-roasted tomatoes, incorporate chili flakes and fresh basil for a bold, zesty profile.
  • Vegan Cashew Cream Option: Substitute dairy cream with blended cashews, nutritional yeast instead of parmesan, creating a plant-based creamy sauce with similar richness.
  • Protein-Packed Upgrade: Mix in sautéed chicken or crispy chickpeas for added protein, enhancing the dish's nutritional value and providing extra texture.
Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Pasta Recipe

Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Pasta Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 25 reviews

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Roasted red pepper pasta delivers a silky symphony of Mediterranean flavors. Robust peppers blend with velvety cream, creating a luxurious sauce that embraces pasta with irresistible warmth and depth you’ll savor in every delightful bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 14 ounces / 400 grams linguine pasta
  • 16 ounces / 450 grams roasted red peppers
  • 1 cup / 250 milliliters heavy cream
  • ½ cup / 40 grams parmesan cheese

Aromatics and Seasonings:

  • 1 medium white onion, diced
  • 2 small garlic cloves, finely diced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 pinch chilli flakes
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Additional Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon butter

Instructions

  1. Bring a generously salted pot of water to a rolling boil and cook the pasta until it reaches a perfect al dente texture, with a slight firmness at its core.
  2. Carefully extract roasted red peppers from their preserving liquid, gently patting them dry to remove excess brine without washing away their concentrated flavor.
  3. Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat, introducing diced onions and allowing them to soften and become translucent, releasing their sweet aromatic qualities.
  4. Add minced garlic to the onion mixture, stirring briefly to prevent burning and to awaken the garlic’s pungent essence.
  5. Transfer the sautéed aromatics and roasted red peppers into a high-powered blender, transforming them into a velvety, vibrant sauce with smooth, consistent texture.
  6. Return the crimson sauce to the pan, introducing cream to create a luxurious, silky consistency that clings effortlessly to the pasta.
  7. Elevate the sauce’s complexity by folding in finely grated parmesan, which will contribute a nutty depth and subtle saltiness.
  8. Sprinkle in chopped parsley for a fresh, verdant note, and dust with smoked paprika to introduce a subtle, smoky undertone.
  9. Season the sauce judiciously with salt and freshly ground black pepper, tasting and adjusting to achieve a balanced flavor profile.
  10. Gently cascade the perfectly cooked pasta into the sauce, ensuring each strand is lavishly coated with the creamy, pepper-infused mixture.
  11. Plate the pasta with an artistic flourish, garnishing with additional parmesan shavings and a sprinkle of fresh parsley to enhance visual appeal and flavor complexity.

Notes

  • Roasted red peppers bring a sweet, smoky depth that transforms an ordinary sauce into something extraordinary.
  • Blending creates a silky-smooth texture that clings perfectly to every pasta strand, ensuring maximum flavor in each bite.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Lunch
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 650
  • Sugar: 6g
  • Sodium: 600mg
  • Fat: 36g
  • Saturated Fat: 22g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 70g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 16g
  • Cholesterol: 100mg
Alex Reed

Alex Reed

Founder & Lead Content Writer

Expertise

Recipe Development and Testing​, Culinary Education​, Food Writing and Blogging​, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Global Cuisine Exploration

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and contemporary cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development. Emphasized hands-on experience in diverse culinary traditions.​

Le Cordon Bleu Paris

  • Program: Diplôme de Cuisine
  • Focus: Advanced instruction in French culinary techniques, including sauce preparation, pâtisserie, and haute cuisine.​

Alex Reed is an inventive chef and food creator with a passion for dishes that balance taste, health, and sustainability. 

Trained at Portland Community College and holding an Advanced Pastry Arts certificate from Oregon Culinary Institute, Alex brings more than 10 years of practical culinary experience to every recipe he develops. 

His background uniquely blends traditional cooking skills with modern, mindful eating principles. As the founder of Beard and Bonnet, Alex creates recipes that encourage readers to cook confidently.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star