Description
This Easy Roasted Red Pepper Pasta Sauce is creamy, flavorful, and quick to make. Roasted red peppers and ajvar create a smoky base, enhanced with spices and cream, perfect for coating your favorite pasta.
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 oz pasta (penne or your favorite shape)
- 2 red bell peppers, diced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 heaping tablespoons of ajvar (recommended: Mama’s Home Style Ajvar)
- 1 cup reserved pasta water
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- Spices:
- 2 teaspoons paprika powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water and drain pasta.
- In a large skillet, sauté diced onion and red bell peppers over medium heat until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in ajvar and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and stir to combine, cooking for another minute.
- Gradually add reserved pasta water and heavy cream, stirring constantly until smooth and slightly thickened.
- Add paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Toss cooked pasta in the sauce until evenly coated.
- Serve immediately, optionally garnished with fresh parsley or grated Parmesan.
Notes
- Ajvar adds smoky flavor; adjust quantity to taste.
- Use fresh red bell peppers for the best natural sweetness.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days; reheat gently before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: Roasted red pepper pasta sauce, creamy red pepper sauce, ajvar pasta, quick pasta dinner, easy creamy pasta sauce