Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Pasta

Name: Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Pasta
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 12 ounces Rigatoni pasta; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 yellow onion (diced); 4 cloves garlic (minced); 1 jar roasted red pepper (15 oz); ½ cup milk; 1 tsp paprika; ½ tsp kosher salt; ½ cup parmesan (grated)

Learn how to whip up a delicious and easy Roasted Red Pepper Pasta in no time. With a rich and flavorful roasted red pepper sauce, creamy texture, and just the right amount of heat, this pasta recipe is sure to become your new go-to.

Close-up of rigatoni pasta with creamy red pepper sauce on a white dish

Italian pasta dishes are all about comfort and flavor—simple ingredients like olive oil, garlic, and cheese come together to make something delicious every time. From Creamy Butternut Squash Pasta and garlicky Spaghetti Aglio E Olio to Cherry Tomato Pasta, these dishes make the most of pantry staples like olive oil, garlic, and cheese.

Discover some of Italy’s most beloved pasta dishes on my blog, where you’ll find recipes designed for home cooks. Whether you’re craving a quick and simple pasta or a hearty, saucy favorite, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!

Recipe Highlights
Roasted Red Pepper Pasta Ingredients
Ingredient Spotlight: Roasted Red Pepper
Step-By-Step Instructions
What to Serve with Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Rigatoni
Tips for the Best Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Pasta
Storage
Variations and Substitutions
FAQs
More Italian Recipes You Must Try
Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Pasta Recipe

Recipe Highlights

Cuisine: Italian-inspired with Mediterranean elements

Diet Info: Vegetarian; adaptable to gluten-free and vegan

Skill Level: Beginner-friendly, minimal cooking steps

Signature Taste: Creamy, smoky, slightly sweet

Ingredients for creamy roasted red pepper pasta: rigatoni, olive oil, diced onion, minced garlic, jarred roasted red peppers, milk, paprika, salt, fresh Parmesan, and chopped parsley, arranged on a countertop.

Roasted Red Pepper Pasta Ingredients

Rigatoni Pasta: The tube-shaped rigatoni is ideal for capturing creamy sauces. It holds onto the sauce beautifully, ensuring each bite is full of flavor. You can use other pasta shapes like penne or fusilli, but rigatoni works best for this dish’s rich sauce.

Olive Oil: A couple of tablespoons of olive oil serve as the base to sauté the onion and garlic, creating a flavorful, fragrant foundation. Extra virgin olive oil adds a slight fruitiness, but regular olive oil also works well here.

Onion: A finely diced onion, cooked until soft, provides a sweet, caramelized undertone to the sauce. Yellow onions are typically used for their balanced flavor, but white onions add a mild sweetness, and red onions give a sharper taste if you prefer.

Garlic: Freshly minced garlic adds a warm, aromatic depth that enhances the sweetness of the peppers. Garlic is best added just before blending to retain its rich flavor in the sauce.

Roasted Red Pepper: The star ingredient! Roasted red peppers bring a smoky, slightly sweet taste that pairs wonderfully with the creamy sauce. Using jarred roasted peppers saves time and adds a unique depth of flavor that’s hard to replicate with fresh peppers alone.

Milk: Milk makes the sauce creamy without being too heavy. Whole milk is ideal for a richer texture, but feel free to substitute with plant-based milk for a vegan version as long as it’s not flavored. Adjust the amount based on your preferred sauce thickness.

Paprika: This spice not only enhances the red color but also adds warmth and a hint of smokiness. For a more intense smoky flavor, consider using smoked paprika, which will emphasize the roasted flavor.

Salt: Essential for balancing and highlighting the flavors in this dish. The amount can be adjusted to taste, especially if using salted pasta water.

Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan cheese brings a savory, nutty depth that complements the roasted peppers and adds creaminess. Avoid pre-grated cheese for the best melt and flavor. Pecorino Romano is a good substitute if you prefer a sharper taste.

Chopped Parsley: Fresh parsley adds a touch of green, a pop of color, and a mild herbal note that lightens up the richness of the sauce. Other fresh herbs, like basil or chives, also make excellent garnishes for added flavor.

Creamy roasted red pepper pasta on a white plate garnished with parsley and freshly grated parmesan

Ingredient Spotlight: Roasted Red Pepper

Roasted red peppers are the heart of this dish, bringing a unique, smoky sweetness that transforms the pasta sauce into something truly special. Roasting peppers deepens their flavor, softens their texture, and brings out natural sugars that lend a subtle caramelized taste.

Using jarred roasted red peppers is a great time saver, allowing you to skip the roasting and peeling without sacrificing any flavor. This ingredient adds a beautiful color and a layer of warmth to the sauce, pairing perfectly with the creaminess of the Parmesan and milk. Look for high-quality, charred peppers packed in water for the best results, and drain them well before blending for a smooth, vibrant sauce.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Start by cooking the rigatoni in a large pot of salted water according to the package instructions until al dente. Don’t forget to reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta—this will help adjust the sauce’s thickness later.

Dropping rigatoni pasta cooking in a pot of boiling water.

Step 2: Prepare the Sauce Base

Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Then, add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant. This step will give the sauce a sweet, caramelized foundation.

Diced onion sautéing in a pan until soft and golden and minced garlic added to the pan with onions, cooking for extra flavor.

Step 3: Blend the Sauce

In a blender, combine the sautéed onion and garlic, roasted red peppers, milk, paprika, and salt. Blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy, which will give your sauce that gorgeous red hue.

Onion, garlic, roasted red pepper, milk, paprika, and salt blended until smooth and creamy.

Step 4: Simmer the Sauce

Pour the blended red pepper sauce back into the pan. Bring it to a gentle simmer, then add the Parmesan cheese, stirring until it’s fully melted and the sauce is creamy.

Freshly grated Parmesan cheese stirred into the sauce in a pan..

If the sauce looks too thick, add about ½ cup of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.

Blended roasted red pepper sauce poured back into the pan, ready to simmer.

Step 5: Combine the Pasta and Sauce

Add the cooked rigatoni to the pan with the sauce, tossing well to coat each piece of pasta. If the sauce is too thick, add a bit more pasta water until it clings perfectly to the pasta.

Rigatoni pasta added to the creamy red pepper sauce in the pan, tossed to coat evenly.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Top your pasta with a sprinkle of chopped parsley for a pop of color and freshness. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan on the side for an irresistible meal.

eamy red pepper pasta garnished with fresh chopped parsley, ready to serve.

What to Serve with Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Rigatoni

This dish is hearty on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with light, fresh sides to balance the richness.

Caprese Salad Recipe (Insalata Caprese): Fresh and vibrant, a Caprese salad made with ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil leaves, and a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar perfectly balances the creamy, savory pasta.

Classic Italian Bruschetta Recipe: Add a crisp, flavorful appetizer by serving traditional bruschetta. Toasted slices of crusty bread topped with diced tomatoes, garlic, basil, and a drizzle of olive oil bring out a burst of flavor with every bite. The bright, garlicky topping complements the pasta’s creaminess and offers a satisfying crunch, making it a great side or starter.

Ciabatta Bread: Ciabatta bread is perfect for scooping up every bit of the creamy sauce.

Grilled Pr otein: For a heartier meal, serve alongside grilled chicken, shrimp, or even crispy pancetta.

A serving of roasted red pepper pasta on a white plate, sprinkled with parmesan

Tips for the Best Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Pasta

Reserve pasta water: This starchy water is key to creating a smooth, emulsified sauce. Use it as needed to adjust the thickness.
Use fresh parmesan. Freshly grated parmesan will melt better and enhance the sauce’s creaminess.
Add extra spice: For a spicier kick, sprinkle in a bit of crushed red pepper flakes.

Italian-style roasted red pepper pasta on two white plates, ready to serve

Storage

Refrigeration: Place leftovers in an airtight container once cooled. This helps retain moisture and prevents the pasta from drying out. It can stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheating: For best results, reheat the pasta on the stovetop. Place it in a pan over medium-low heat with a splash of reserved pasta water, milk, or cream to revive the sauce’s creamy texture. Stir frequently until warmed through.
If using a microwave, add a bit of liquid (water or milk) to the pasta, cover, and microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until it reaches the desired temperature.

Freezing: Although this creamy pasta is best fresh, you can freeze it if needed. To freeze, transfer cooled pasta into a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat on the stovetop with extra liquid to refresh the sauce.

Variations and Substitutions

Pasta Options: While rigatoni’s tube shape holds the sauce well, you can also try other pasta shapes with similar grooves, like penne, fusilli, or farfalle. These shapes capture the creamy sauce, giving you similar results.

Cheese: For a creamy twist, try adding a scoop of ricotta cheese to the sauce—it adds a rich, velvety texture and balances the smoky red pepper flavor beautifully.

Gluten-Free: Use your favorite gluten-free pasta to make this dish gluten-free. Options like gluten-free penne or rotini work well, but check cooking times since they may vary.

Protein Additions For a heartier meal, add grilled chicken breast or shrimp. They pair beautifully with the roasted red pepper flavor and provide extra protein. Cook them separately and mix them in before serving.

Dairy-Free: To make this dish dairy-free, swap out the Parmesan and milk for dairy-free cheese and non-flavored plant-based milk, creating a creamy texture while keeping it vegan-friendly.

Sauce Variations: Add some heat with crushed red pepper flakes, a dash of hot sauce, or cayenne pepper. These options can elevate the dish if you like a bit of spice.

Nuts: To add a bit of crunch and depth, try topping the creamy roasted red pepper pasta with toasted pine nuts or slivered almonds. Cashews also work well, either blended into the sauce for extra creaminess or sprinkled on top for added texture.

Hearty roasted red pepper pasta on a white dish, with parsley garnish and parmesan cheese

FAQs

Can I use jarred roasted red peppers?

Yes! Jarred roasted red peppers save time and still deliver great flavor. Just drain them well before blending.

Can I use fresh red bell peppers instead of jarred roasted red peppers?

Absolutely! Fresh red bell peppers can be roasted at home by charring them on a stovetop or baking them until blistered. Let them cool, then peel and blend them as the recipe calls for. This will add a fresh, slightly smoky flavor but may require more prep time than using jarred peppers.

Can I use this sauce with other dishes?

Definitely! The creamy roasted red pepper sauce works well as a base for chicken or shrimp dishes, or even as a topping for pizza. It’s versatile and can bring a burst of flavor to various meals.

Can I make this recipe without a blender?

If you don’t have a blender, you can finely chop the roasted red peppers, onion, and garlic, then cook them until very soft. Mash the mixture with a fork or potato masher, or use an immersion blender if you have one for a chunkier sauce.