Do you enjoy quick and easy pasta recipes with just a few ingredients? This Roasted Red Pepper Pasta Recipe is perfect for an easy weeknight pasta supper. You will love the flavor and texture of this cavatelli pasta recipe.
Once you know How to Roast Bell Peppers, you will taste the difference and buying the jarred version will be a thing of the past.
Have you noticed all the red peppers at the markets?
As much as I love Traditional Basil Pesto with pasta, this Classic Marinara Sauce, or this wonderful recipe for a Creamy Asparagus Sauce -now is the perfect time to make this sweet pepper sauce for pasta.
Although bell peppers can be found in a rainbow of colors, the pasta sauce we will be making today only includes red peppers.
Ingredients for Pasta with Roasted Red Pepper Tomato Sauce:
A printable recipe card found at the bottom of this page has the specific amounts for each ingredient. This is just a summary.
- Bell Peppers. Roasted bell red peppers provide the best flavor.
- Olive oil. Extra virgin, if possible.
- Onions. A wonderful flavor booster.
- Garlic. An essential ingredient with simple pasta dishes.
- Roma Tomatoes. The best variety to make this quick Roma tomato sauce with roasted peppers.
- Basil. Fresh, if possible.
- Parsley. Italian flat-leaf has so much more flavor.
- Pasta. Any short pasta shape works well with this sauce.
- Salt and Pepper. To taste.
It is estimated that there are over 200 different pasta shapes with at least three times the number of names as different regions in Italy will refer to the same pasta shape by different names.
Today, I’ll be using my mom’s recipe for Homemade Cavatelli, one of my favorite pasta shapes.
Feel free to use any short pasta that is available to you.
How to make Roasted Red Pepper Sauce for Pasta:
In a large skillet, over medium heat, add a few tablespoons of olive oil and sauté one chopped onion.
When the onion becomes translucent, add 4 cloves of minced garlic.
Sauté for another minute or so.
Add 2 chopped Roma tomatoes, 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh basil and season to taste with salt and pepper.
Sauté until the tomatoes have started to break down. This should take about 5 minutes.
In the meanwhile, get let’s cook some pasta!
Since I am using homemade cavatelli, my pasta will be ready in less than 5 minutes. Before draining the pasta, reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water.
By this time, the tomatoes should have broken down nicely.
Add 8 roasted red peppers (chopped or slivered) and sauté for a few minutes.
If you prefer a chunky sauce, you can serve it as is. I prefer a less chunky sauce so I will process my tomato and bell pepper sauce with my handheld immersion blender.
Remember, add that reserved pasta water to your sauce until you get the consistency you desire.
Once the pasta is cooked, add it to the roasted pepper sauce. Combine and enjoy!
Tips for Roasted Bell Pepper Pasta Recipe:
- Roast the peppers up to 2 days before making this recipe.
- Use any short pasta shape for this thick sauce.
- Add the reserved pasta water to get the right consistency for the sauce.
What is the best pasta shape for this easy red pepper sauce?
- orecchiette
- Gemelli
- fusilli
- farfalle
- cavatelli
Roasted Red Pepper Recipes we love:
- Fregola Salad
- Peperonata
- Roasted Bell Pepper Goat Cheese Bites
- Marinated Roasted Bell Peppers
- Italian Sausage, Potatoes, Peppers, and Onions
ORIGINS OF THE RECIPE FOR Roasted Red Pepper Sauce & Cavatelli:
A couple of years ago, I picked up a cookbook called “Sundays at Moosewood Restaurant”.
Although I have never visited the famous landmark in Ithaca, New York, I love this vegetarian cookbook. It highlights different ethnic cuisines, and of course some classic Italian dishes like this roasted red pepper sauce.
I have adapted the recipe to suit my family’s preferences. I increased the amount of garlic and reduced the number of tomatoes.
Once you see how easy it is to make your own roasted bell pepper sauce, you will be looking for ways to incorporate it into all your dishes!!
Your family will love the flavor and texture of this smoky sauce when combined with your favorite pasta.
THANKS SO MUCH for following and being part of the She Loves Biscotti community where you will find Simple & Tasty Family-Friendly Recipes with an Italian Twist.
Ciao for now,
Maria
★★★★★ If you have made this pasta with roasted red peppers, I would love to hear about it in the comments below and be sure to rate the recipe!
Roasted Red Pepper Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups roasted red bell peppers chopped, or 8 medium red peppers (grilled and cleaned)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil extra virgin
- 1 onion Vidalia or yellow onions, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 roma tomatoes fresh, chopped
- 2 tablespoons basil fresh
- 1/4 cup parsley chopped, to garnish
- olive oil for drizzling finished pasta dish
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan (over medium-high heat).
- Add the sliced onions and sauté until onions soften (reduce to medium heat).
- Add the minced garlic and saute for about a minute or so.
- Add the tomatoes, basil and black pepper (to taste). Saute until the tomatoes have started to break down. This should take about 5 minutes.
- Add the sliced roasted red peppers and continue to saute.
- Leave the sauce chunky or use a food processor to process to desired consistency.
- Serve with favorite pasta. Garnish with parsley, a drizzle of olive oil and serve.
Notes
- Roast the peppers up to 2 days before making this recipe.
- Use any short pasta shape for this thick sauce.
- Add the reserved pasta water to get the right consistency for the sauce.
Nutrition
This post was originally published on February 15, 2018, and republished on September 27, 2019, with updated content.
Pamela says
Hello Maria
Thank you for all your beautiful recipes they are beautiful,
Today I’m going to make the roasted red peppers in the oven I’m sure I can roast them that way and then put them in to jars with garlic and olive oil and add some to your dish can’t wait to try this,
Wish me luck.
Maria says
My pleasure Pamela! This Red Pepper Pasta is a family favorite, hope you like it! Thanks so much for taking the time to comment, appreciate it!
Mary Brown says
I made this tonight for dinner. My family enjoyed it. I never had roasted red pepper sauce. It was delicious. I served it over a gluten free cavatelli pasta I found online. It is called De Puma’s, because my daughter (25) can’t tolerate gluten. It went very well with the sauce. I made your homemade cavatelli this past Easter for 20 people. I did three batches of dough. By the time I did the 3rd batch I got the correct texture, and it looked like yours on your video. My daughter-in-law who is part Italian, was really impressed! Thanks so much for sharing your family recipes.
Maria says
My pleasure Mary 🙂
I am thrilled to hear that you and your family enjoyed the sauce. I am always fascinated with the amount of flavor a roasted red pepper has!
Wow Mary! That is a lot of cavatelli!!!
Thank you so much for sharing your experience with both of these recipes, it means a lot to me ♥ Hope you have a wonderful evening!
Agness of Run Agness Run says
Yummy! Such a creamy and finger-licking dish which has the potential of becoming my new favorite lunch recipe, Maria! Excellent combination of ingredients. What kind of onion do you use for this dish?
Maria says
Thanks Agness! I will usually use Vidalia or yellow onions for this red pepper sauce… always turns out amazing. Hope you get a chance to try it. Appreciate your comment, thanks for stopping by 🙂
Nicole | Culinary Cool says
Maria, your recipes are always so darn amazing and this is no exception! I love red pepper sauces, so this is certainly going on the list of things to make very soon!
Maria says
Thank you for your kind words Nicole 🙂 Roasted red pepper sauce is sooo addictive… you will find ways to incorporate it in all your dishes! Thanks so much for stopping by, appreciate it ♥♥♥
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
I love roasting peppers, even the smell! This looks like one comforting dinner! And I bet if you wanted to add some sausage to the mix, it would be lovely. This, a glass of vino, some garlicy crust olive oil bread and I would be one happy lady! Happy Friday 🙂
Maria says
That sounds like a really good plan 🙂 Thanks for stopping by Dawn ♥
Elaine @ Flavour and Savour says
Thanks for this detailed, informative post! I feel like I’m learning from the master of Italian cooking! I can think of lots of uses for this flavourful sauce! Thanks.
Maria says
Thanks for your kind words Elaine… the truth is that Italian cooking is the simplest of cuisines… basic quality ingredients and time. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Diane Galambos says
Wow! You make it all seem so simple – great instructions. I love those cavtelli noodles – the sauce just fills that little groove. Have a happy Friday! Hugs, Diane
Maria says
It really is that simple! Cavatelli are also a favorite of mine. I used my little cavatelli board this time around. Thanks for stopping by Diane!
Paula Barbarito Levitt says
Nothing is more comforting to me than the smell of roasting peppers. A jar of roasted peppers was always a staple at our home, but we never combined them with anything but olive oil and garlic with a garnish of basil. You sauce adds a nice complexity to the mix which I look forward to trying soon.
Maria says
I absolutely agree Paula! Isn’t the aroma just intoxicating? This roasted red pepper sauce can truly be used in so many dishes. Hope you get a chance to try it. Thanks so much for stopping by ♥♥♥
Ciao Chow Linda says
Brava Maria – Your photos are mouth-watering and make me wish I had a bowl of those cavatelli. I love roasted red peppers and red pepper sauce and have made both with success, but I have to say when I tried making cavatelli, I totally botched it up and never got the hang of it. I will have to give it another try.
Maria says
Thanks Linda! Too bad we don’t live close to each other… I think we would have fun making cavatelli together!
As a kid, my sister and I would “help” my grandmother make the cavatelli… even back then, I remember thinking, my cavatelli were the worst looking of the lot. Nevertheless, my grandmother encouraged us to keep at it. I agree with you… you need to try one more time 🙂 Appreciate you dropping by ♥♥♥
Pina Bresciani says
Maria this sounds delicious! I’ve never thought of making a sauce with roasted peppers! It must be delicious 🙂
Maria says
Yes, it really is Pina. It’s nice to change things up every once in a while. Appreciate your comment. Thanks for stopping by 🙂