15-Minute Creamy Red Pepper (Printable View)

A vibrant, creamy red pepper pasta with garlic and Parmesan, ready in 15 minutes for busy evenings.

# What You Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 7 ounces dried penne or spaghetti

→ Sauce

02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
05 - 12 ounces jarred roasted red peppers, drained and roughly chopped
06 - ⅓ cup plus 1 tablespoon heavy cream
07 - ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
08 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
09 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Garnish

10 - Fresh basil leaves, torn (optional)
11 - Extra 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 ½ cup pasta water then drain.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and chopped onion; sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
03 - Add drained roasted red peppers and smoked paprika to the skillet. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
04 - Transfer the red pepper mixture to a blender or use an immersion blender and purée until smooth.
05 - Return purée to the skillet over low heat. Stir in heavy cream and grated Parmesan. Season with salt and black pepper. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until sauce is creamy and heated through.
06 - Add drained pasta to the skillet, tossing to coat evenly. Add reserved pasta water if sauce is too thick.
07 - Plate immediately and garnish with fresh basil leaves and extra Parmesan if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Quick and easy 15-minute meal
  • Rich creamy flavor with roasted red peppers
02 -
  • For a vegan version, use plant-based cream and omit Parmesan or substitute with nutritional yeast
  • Pairs well with a crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio
03 -
  • Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency for perfect creaminess
  • Use fresh herbs like basil for vibrant garnish and flavor
Return