15-Minute Creamy Red Pepper

A vibrant, quick pasta dish featuring a silky roasted red pepper sauce with garlic, cream, and Parmesan—perfect for busy weeknights.

This recipe became a weeknight favorite for me because of its simplicity and comforting taste that feels gourmet without much effort.

Ingredients

• Pasta: 200 g (7 oz) dried penne or spaghetti
• Sauce: 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Sauce: 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Sauce: 1 small onion, finely chopped
• Sauce: 1 (340 g / 12 oz) jar roasted red peppers, drained and roughly chopped
• Sauce: 100 ml (⅓ cup + 1 tbsp) heavy cream
• Sauce: 40 g (¼ cup) grated Parmesan cheese
• Sauce: ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• Sauce: Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Garnish: Fresh basil leaves, torn (optional)
• Garnish: Extra Parmesan cheese, for serving

Instructions

Step 1:

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.

Step 2:

Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and chopped onion, sauté for 2 3 minutes until softened and fragrant.

Step 3:

Add the chopped roasted red peppers and smoked paprika to the skillet. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently.

Step 4:

Transfer the red pepper mixture to a blender or use an immersion blender to purée until smooth.

Step 5:

Return the purée to the skillet over low heat. Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan. Season with salt and black pepper. Simmer for 2 3 minutes until the sauce is creamy and heated through.

Step 6:

Add the drained pasta to the skillet, tossing to coat evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water.

Step 7:

Serve immediately, garnished with fresh basil and extra Parmesan if desired.

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This dish has brought many family dinners to life, with everyone enjoying its comforting creamy sauce and vibrant color.

Required Tools

Large pot, large skillet, blender or immersion blender, measuring cups and spoons, knife and chopping board

Allergen Information

Contains dairy (cream Parmesan) and wheat (pasta). For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta and verify all labels.

Nutritional Information

Per serving: 540 calories, 19 g total fat, 73 g carbohydrates, 17 g protein.

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This recipe is a perfect quick meal that doesn't compromise on taste or elegance.