Happy New Year! It’s that time of the year when we list our resolutions. Some people resolve to eat healthier and others might work out more. Since I can’t really affect how much you work out with my blog, I wanted my first post of the year to be about a healthy recipe. In particular, I had this roasted red pepper pasta in mind as that first healthy post. My husband and I have discussed whether this pasta dish is actually “healthy.” Let’s just say that it’s better for you than a fully loaded lasagna which is frankly horrible for you (but it sure is good). The more I ponder the fat content and calories here, the more I realize that I’m simply sharing with you one of my favorite meals. That’s more important, right? 😉
Roasted Red Pepper Pasta Recipe
(About 8 servings)
Ingredients:
- 12 ounces Rigatoni pasta
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jar (15.5 ounce) roasted red peppers, drained and roughly chopped
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Directions:
- Cook the pasta according to the directions on the box.
- In a medium skillet, on Medium heat, melt the butter.
- Add the diced onions and minced garlic and cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until they start to soften.
- Add the chopped red peppers and cook the mixture for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, until it’s hot.
- Carefully transfer the mixture to a food processor and puree it until it’s mostly smooth (there should still be some texture).
- Pour the pureed mixture back into the skillet. Stir in the broth, and season with salt, pepper, and parsley.
- Gradually pour in the heavy cream and stir until it’s combined.
- Drain the pasta and add it into the skillet. (See Note below)
- Add the Parmesan cheese and stir it all together so that all the pasta is completely coated with the cheese and sauce.
- (Optional) Sprinkle fresh basil and additional Parmesan cheese on top.
* Note: The cheese and sauce will soak into the pasta overnight. If you don’t think you’ll eat all of the pasta then I recommend you store the sauce in a separate jar in the refrigerator adding the cheese and sauce directly to your plate when you are about to eat it.
This meal is super fast to make. It only takes about 20 minutes! Oh yeah! Most of the ingredients are only hanging out in the pan for a few minutes.
It’s like magic. The food processor has turned a few simple ingredients into a thick sauce. Wait, it gets better. 😉
As a side note, I’m prepping the pasta at the same time so that it’s ready as soon as the sauce is done. Since I’m going for expediency, my ability to multi-task is a good thing.
Once you add the heavy cream, it becomes a velvety sauce.
This pink sauce is not like a traditional tomato based sauce. It has a slight sweetness from the roasted red peppers. I picked my favorite jarred ones because they taste great. Plus, it’s a huge time saver. I even reused the jar that they came in to store some of the leftover sauce. If you’re inclined to roast the red peppers yourself, I have some great tips from when I roasted some for my Roasted Red Pepper Soup.
I’m in love with this pasta dish! Can someone really be “in love” with a meal? My husband literally drank some of this sauce straight from a jar because it’s just that awesome. (Sorry if that grossed you out, but it’s a great testament to how tasty this is). Seriously guys, this is some really good eats.
On new year’s eve my husband and I ate out at an Italian restaurant and I ordered Rigatoni with fennel and sausage in a red pepper sauce (which was absolutely delicious, by the way). This recipe is a vegetarian version and a reminder of our romantic meal out. 🙂
I’m not one to make new year’s resolutions because if I want to do something then I do it when the moment strikes. I don’t wait for January 1st to roll around in order to make a change. I’m always trying to lose a few pounds and the new year is just a good reminder to me. Do you have any resolutions?
Slightly adapted from: The Pioneer Woman
Here are some more tasty and quick pasta meals.
a perfect pasta. I can just taste it!
Thanks so much! 🙂
This looks great! I love roasted red peppers and making into a pasta sauce is genius!
I can’t believe it’s taken this long me to make it! It will DEFINITELY be on our dinner rotation from now on. 🙂
Much better for you than lasagna. This pasta dish sounds amazing. I bet the roasted red pepper makes it flavorful and delicious. Happy New Year friend!
Thanks Natalie! Happy new year!! 🙂
I can never get enough roasted red peppers – they are just so good! This pasta looks awesome! I’m trying to stress less this year – it’s more of a constant goal of mine but the start of the new year always seems like a good time to remind myself : )
Love roasted red peppers too! I’m with ya, I’m always trying to worry/stress less. Sometimes my husband can help me dial it down a bit. 😉
I absolutely love roasted red pepper sauce! Just polished off some red pepper soup actually.
Same page! That soup is perfect for a cold day like this one (at least here in CT). 🙂
Absolutely! If you enjoy it in moderation, there is no reason why it doesn’t qualify as a good new year’s dish! This pasta is gorgeous, with the red peppers and sauce. As much as I love lasagna, this looks really, really good!
Totally agree! 🙂 I’m sure you’ll see a lasagna recipe post at some point here. 😉
Red pepper sauce on pasta is one of my all-time fav side dishes! Love all the parmesan cheese on top!
Thanks so much! 🙂
I love red peppers and I really like the use in this pasta.
Love cooking with red peppers. I made a red pepper hummus recently…that will make an appearance soon. 😉
Roasted peppers is seriously the best thing. I can imagine how good it must be on pasta. yum!
Absolutely agree! With pasta, it’s my favorite combo right now. 🙂
I love roasted red peppers, so I’m totally on board with this pasta dish! And, I love that it comes together in 20 mins. I’m with you – I don’t make resolutions – if you need to change something – just DO IT!
Yes, just do it! Love that. 🙂
Happy New Year Tina! Love roasted red peppers and it sounds awesome in this pasta! Looks so tasty and flavorful! Hope you have a great weekend 🙂
Thanks Kelly! Happy new year to you too!! 🙂
What a fun alternative to my typical pasta dishes! I can’t wait to try this 🙂
I hope you love it as much as we do. 🙂
Red peppers are one of my favorites! Great pasta dish…pinning!
Awesome! Thank you. 🙂
Oh yes!! I love red pepper anything! This looks like the perfect mid week meal to whip up. Thanks for the recipe!! 🙂
If I’m short on time (or lazy…eh, it happens 😉 ) this is has been my go-to meal to lately. Thank goodness my husband doesn’t get sick of it! Hehe.
I think it can definitely be healthy. I’m going to use whole wheat/whole grain pasta for this dish. It definitely bumps up the healthiness factor. Thanks for sharing Tina and Happy New Year lady!
Love that idea! 🙂
Yum, I’m loving that red pepper sauce, it looks lovely with the cream addition!
My resolutions include sleeping more and going swimming more often so my legs aren’t this sore from all the race training I’ve been doing lately. And the swimming one is hideous, I really don’t like ging to the pool in winter gaaaah :”( xxx
Sleeping is a good one! I second that motion. 🙂
I just recently got totally hooked on roasted red peppers. So this looks and sounds amazing!
Oh, I’m so hooked now on roasted red pepper sauce!
you always need a good go-to pasta dish! I love roasted red peppers!
Totally agree! 🙂
This looks so comforting and absolutely delicious – yum!
Thanks so much! 🙂