Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Easy Roasted Red Pepper Pasta Sauce is a creamy, flavorful twist on traditional tomato sauce. Blended with roasted red peppers, garlic, and a touch of cream, this vibrant sauce is rich, velvety, and bursting with sweet, smoky flavor. Perfect for a quick dinner, it pairs beautifully with any pasta and can be made dairy-free or vegan with simple swaps.

ingredients

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

roasted red peppers (jarred or homemade)olive oilyellow onion (chopped)garlic cloves (minced)tomato pastecoconut milk or heavy creamnutritional yeast or parmesan cheese (optional)saltblack pepperred pepper flakes (optional)fresh basil (optional)your favorite pasta (cooked)

directions

Easy Roasted Red Pepper Pasta Sauce (Creamy Recipe) 10 Easy Roasted Red Pepper Pasta Sauce is a creamy, flavorful twist on traditional tomato sauce. Blended with roasted red peppers, garlic, and a touch of cream, this vibrant sauce is rich, velvety, and bursting with sweet, smoky flavor. Perfect for a quick dinner, it pairs beautifully with any pasta and can be made dairy-free or vegan with simple swaps.

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.

Add chopped onion and sauté for 5-7 minutes until soft and translucent.

Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Add tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes to deepen the flavor.

Transfer onion mixture to a blender along with roasted red peppers, cream or coconut milk, nutritional yeast or cheese, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.

Blend until smooth and creamy.

Return sauce to the skillet and simmer for 5-7 minutes to heat through and thicken slightly.

Toss with your favorite cooked pasta and garnish with fresh basil if desired.

Servings and timing

This recipe yields approximately 4 servings.Preparation time: 10 minutesCooking time: 15 minutesTotal time: 25 minutes

Variations

Add sautéed mushrooms or spinach for extra veggies.

Use cashew cream instead of coconut milk for a richer dairy-free version.

Include sun-dried tomatoes in the blend for deeper flavor.

Top with grilled chicken, tofu, or vegan sausage for a protein boost.

Serve over gnocchi or zucchini noodles for variety.

storage/reheating

Store sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.Add a splash of water or cream to loosen if needed.Freeze for up to 2 months—thaw overnight before reheating.

FAQs

Can I use fresh red peppers?

Yes, roast them at 425°F (220°C) until charred, peel the skin, and use in place of jarred.

Is this sauce spicy?

It’s mildly sweet and smoky—add red pepper flakes to increase heat.

Can I make it vegan?

Yes, use coconut milk or cashew cream and skip the cheese or use nutritional yeast.

What pasta works best?

Fettuccine, penne, spaghetti, or rigatoni all hold the creamy sauce well.

Can I make it without a blender?

Yes, use an immersion blender or mash the ingredients well, though texture may be less smooth.

Is it kid-friendly?

Definitely—it’s creamy and mild with a touch of sweetness from the peppers.

Can I double the recipe?

Yes, it scales well and is perfect for meal prep or freezing.

Does this sauce go with other dishes?

Yes, it’s great over veggies, grain bowls, or even as a pizza base.

How thick should it be?

Smooth and pourable—adjust with more cream or pasta water as needed.

Can I add garlic powder instead?

Yes, if you’re out of fresh garlic, start with ½ tsp and adjust to taste.

Conclusion

Easy Roasted Red Pepper Pasta Sauce is a creamy, dreamy, flavor-packed alternative to tomato-based sauces. Quick to whip up and endlessly versatile, it’s perfect for busy nights or when you want to elevate your pasta with something new. Whether you keep it simple or dress it up, this sauce is sure to become a go-to favorite.