Zesty Roasted Red Pepper Pasta Sauce Recipe to Wake Up Meals

Weeknight dinners deserve a delicious roasted red pepper pasta sauce that bursts with Mediterranean flavors.

This simple yet luxurious sauce blends sweet roasted peppers with rich aromatics for an incredible meal.

Each spoonful delivers deep, smoky undertones that dance across your palate.

Fresh ingredients come together quickly to create something truly spectacular.

The sauce marries perfectly with your favorite pasta, turning an ordinary evening into a culinary adventure.

Warm, comforting, and packed with robust flavors, this recipe promises to become a cherished staple in your home cooking repertoire.

Prepare to savor every delectable bite.

Gear That Helps You Blend Smoothly

• Large Skillet: Essential for sautéing onions and garlic with perfect heat control.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping onions and prepping ingredients.
• Sharp Knife: Crucial for precise vegetable preparation.
• Blender: Key tool for creating smooth, creamy sauce texture.
• Wooden Spoon: Perfect for stirring and mixing ingredients while cooking.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately add salt, pepper, and seasonings.
• Pot: Required for cooking pasta before mixing with sauce.

How to Roast, Blend, and Simmer with Ease

• Sauté Aromatics

Heat olive oil in a skillet and gently cook onions until they become soft and translucent. Quickly stir in garlic and let its fragrance bloom for a moment.

• Build Flavor Layers

Introduce roasted red peppers and tomato paste to the skillet. Allow the ingredients to mingle and develop a rich, deep taste profile.

• Blend Into Creamy Goodness

Transfer the mixture to a blender. Add plant milk, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, and a sprinkle of nutritional yeast. Whirl until silky smooth and perfectly combined.

• Warm and Enhance

Return the velvety sauce to the pan, gently reheating. Taste and adjust seasonings, letting the flavors dance and intensify.

• Marry Sauce With Pasta

Pour the luscious sauce over cooked pasta, tossing until every strand is generously coated with the vibrant, creamy mixture.

• Serve With Flair

Present the pasta immediately, garnishing with fresh herbs for a burst of color and added complexity. Enjoy the restaurant-quality meal you’ve created.

Optional Additions for Heat or Creaminess

• Skip store-bought jarred peppers and roast fresh bell peppers directly over a gas flame or under the broiler for deeper, smokier flavor. Turn occasionally until skin is completely charred.
• This sauce freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Store in airtight containers and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating gently.
• Stir in cooked chickpeas, white beans, or shredded rotisserie chicken for extra protein and texture. Vegetarians can add crumbled tofu for a hearty boost.
• For a creamier consistency without dairy, swap plant milk with cashew cream or silken tofu. These alternatives provide richness without compromising flavor.
• Adjust red pepper flakes based on heat preference. Start with a pinch for mild warmth or increase for a spicier kick. Fresh chopped chili peppers work wonderfully as an alternative heat source.

How to Serve with Pasta or Veggies

• Creamy Comfort Bowl: Ladle the vibrant sauce over your favorite pasta, creating a cozy meal that wraps you in warmth and flavor.
• Gourmet Veggie Companion: Serve alongside roasted vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, or asparagus to enhance the sauce's rich red pepper profile.
• Fresh Herb Finale: Sprinkle chopped basil, parsley, or chives on top for a burst of color and fresh, aromatic brightness that elevates the entire dish.
• Protein Power-Up: Top with grilled chicken, crispy tofu, or sautéed shrimp to transform this sauce into a complete and satisfying meal that packs nutritional punch.

Storing This Sauce in Jars or Freezer Packs

• Keep leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, maintaining its vibrant flavor and creamy texture.
• Warm the sauce gently in a pan over low heat, stirring occasionally and adding a splash of plant milk to restore its original silky consistency.
• Pour cooled sauce into freezer-safe containers or ice cube trays, storing for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Prepare a double batch of sauce during the weekend, allowing for quick weeknight meals. Portion into individual containers for grab-and-go lunches or speedy dinner solutions.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 5

Roasted Red Pepper Pasta Sauce Ingredient Rundown

• Olive Oil: Provides rich, smooth foundation for sautéing aromatics and building deep flavor.
• Onion: Adds sweet, mellow undertones and creates aromatic base for sauce.
• Garlic: Brings intense, pungent depth and classic savory notes.

• Roasted Red Peppers: Delivers smoky, sweet profile with vibrant color and robust Mediterranean character.
• Tomato Paste: Concentrates tangy richness and helps thicken sauce naturally.

• Plant Milk or Cream: Creates silky, luxurious consistency and softens sauce's intensity.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces gentle heat and subtle spicy undertone.
• Salt: Enhances and balances overall flavor profile.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle warmth and gentle aromatic kick.
• Nutritional Yeast or Parmesan: Provides nutty, cheesy complexity and umami richness.

• Fresh Herbs: Brightens dish with fresh, green aromatic notes.

Vibrant Roasted Red Pepper Pasta Sauce Recipe

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4.6 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Creamy roasted red pepper pasta sauce delivers Mediterranean magic in minutes, blending silky peppers with rich herbs and spices. Luxurious and quick, this sauce invites home cooks to savor authentic Italian-inspired comfort on their dinner plate.

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Ingredients

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• 1 (16 oz / 454 g) jar roasted red peppers, drained
• 12 oz (340 g) cooked pasta of choice
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• 1 small yellow onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ cup (60 ml) unsweetened plant-based milk or heavy cream
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 tbsps nutritional yeast or grated parmesan (optional, for cheesiness)
• Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Sauté Base: Warm olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, gently caramelize onions until translucent and tender, then introduce minced garlic and briefly toast for maximum flavor infusion.
2. Pepper Intensity: Add roasted red peppers and tomato paste, allowing ingredients to meld and develop a rich, concentrated essence through gentle simmering.
3. Creamy Transformation: Transfer mixture to blender, incorporating plant milk, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, nutritional yeast, and optional parmesan, blending until achieving a silky, uniform consistency.
4. Final Refinement: Return sauce to pan, gently warming over low heat while carefully calibrating seasonings to create a harmonious flavor profile.
5. Pasta Integration: Fold sauce into cooked pasta, ensuring each strand is luxuriously coated with the vibrant, velvety sauce.
6. Presentation: Plate immediately, garnishing with fresh herbaceous elements for a visually appealing and aromatic finish.

Notes

• Take time to gently cook onions on medium-low heat, allowing natural sugars to develop rich, sweet flavor without burning.
• Choose fire-roasted or home-roasted peppers for deeper smoky undertones, which enhance the sauce’s complexity.
• Use plant milk or cream sparingly to maintain sauce’s vibrant color and prevent diluting the pepper’s intense flavor profile.
• Taste sauce at final stage and incrementally add salt, pepper flakes, or nutritional yeast to achieve perfect balance without overwhelming original roasted pepper essence.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 15 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg