Name: Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Pasta
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 2 shallots, chopped; 4 cloves garlic, sliced; 1 (12 oz) jar roasted red peppers, drained; 1 teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon black pepper; ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional); ½ cup heavy cream; ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese; 12 oz pasta (such as rigatoni or penne); Fresh basil, for garnish (optional)

Why You’ll Love Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Pasta Recipe

This recipe stands out because the creamy texture comes from ricotta rather than heavy cream, giving you a rich yet lighter sauce without sacrificing flavor. It uses mostly pantry staples, cooks in under 40 minutes, and delivers a restaurant-worthy dish with minimal effort.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

pasta
jarred roasted red peppers
ricotta cheese
Parmesan cheese
red pepper flakes
olive oil
garlic
fresh parsley
kosher salt
black pepper

Directions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your pasta and cook it until just shy of al dente, about 1 minute less than package directions. Just before draining, scoop out 1 cup of the pasta water; set aside.
While the pasta cooks, add the jarred roasted red peppers, ricotta, grated Parmesan, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper to a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.
In the same pot you cooked the pasta in, drizzle in some olive oil and heat over low. Add the garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant and softened, about 2–3 minutes.
Transfer the garlic into the blender with the pepper mixture and blend again briefly to incorporate.
Pour the blended sauce back into the pot and bring it to a gentle simmer over low heat.
Add the drained pasta back into the pot along with a splash of the reserved pasta water. Stir constantly until the sauce coats the pasta and the pasta finishes cooking to al dente. Add more pasta water as needed to reach your desired consistency.
Turn off the heat and stir in the chopped parsley. Serve hot with extra Parmesan and freshly ground black pepper.

Servings and timing

Serves: 4
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Total time: 35 minutes

Variations

Add sautéed mushrooms or spinach for extra vegetables.
Stir in cooked chicken or Italian sausage for protein.
Swap cottage cheese for ricotta for a lighter or higher-protein sauce.
Sprinkle with toasted pine nuts or more red pepper flakes for texture and heat.

Storage/Reheating

Storage: Cool leftovers completely, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
Reheating: Warm gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of pasta water or milk to loosen the sauce as needed. Avoid high heat to keep the sauce smooth.

FAQs

What kind of pasta works best?

Any pasta shape works, but ridged shapes like rigatoni, penne, or fusilli help the sauce cling to every bite.

Can I make this vegan?

Yes—use dairy-free ricotta and Parmesan substitutes, and the recipe can easily be adapted to be fully vegan.

Do I need to roast my own peppers?

You can roast your own peppers, but jarred roasted red peppers are a time-saving and flavorful choice.

Can I freeze this pasta?

Creamy sauces can change texture when frozen, so it’s better to freeze just the sauce and add freshly cooked pasta after thawing.

Is the sauce heavy?

No—the sauce gets its creaminess from ricotta, making it rich in flavor without being as heavy as cream-based sauces.

Can I add vegetables?

Absolutely—spinach, mushrooms, or roasted zucchini are great additions to stretch the dish.

What if the sauce is too thick?

Stir in reserved pasta water a little at a time until you reach your desired consistency.

Can I make this ahead of time?

You can prepare the sauce ahead and refrigerate it for a day; reheat gently before tossing with pasta.

How do I adjust saltiness?

Taste the blended sauce before combining with pasta and adjust with salt and pepper. A splash of pasta water can also help balance flavors.

What toppings go well with this dish?

Extra Parmesan, fresh basil, chopped parsley, or a drizzle of olive oil enhance the final dish.

Conclusion

This Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Pasta recipe delivers vibrant flavor and satisfying texture using simple ingredients and quick steps. Whether you’re cooking for family dinner or a cozy night in, it’s a versatile and delicious dish you’ll return to again and again.