Pasta night gets yummier with this homemade roasted red pepper pasta sauce. It is filled with rustic flavors from roasted red bell peppers, onions, garlic, and fire-roasted tomatoes. Vegan and gluten-free sauce recipe that you can make in advance.
14.5oz420 grams Fire roasted tomatoes, only 1 can*
¼cuppacked fresh parsley leaves
¼teaspoonred chili flakes
1teaspoondried Italian herb blend
Couple twists of black pepper
Salt to taste
For the Pasta
2cupsuncooked Penne pastaOR of choice
Enough water to boil pasta
2tablespoonolive oilfor tossing pasta with sauce
½cupVegan Parmesanskip if unavailable
Instructions
For Roasting
Preheat the oven at 400 deg F/ 200 deg C.
Brush 1 tablespoon oil with peppers, onion, and garlic.
Sprinkle some salt and coat it will.
Bake in the middle rack for 20 minutes or until the peppers form black blisters on top.
Once done take it out of the oven and cover it with a dishcloth.
This helps to peel off the skin of the peppers easily.
So once the peppers are lukewarm enough to handle peel off the skin.
For making the sauce
Add these roasted veggies to a food processor or a blender along with the fire-roasted tomatoes, fresh parsley, dried herb blend, chili flakes, salt, and pepper.
Blend until it resembles a puree
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Cook the pasta in enough water as directed on the package.
Cook until al dente. Do not overcook.
Just before mealtime, heat up oil in a pan, add the sauce and cook for a minute.
Add in the pasta and parmesan cheese.
Serve warm with an extra sprinkle of cheese and chopped herbs.
Notes
Want to make this pasta in Instant Pot? Refer to my directions above in the post.
Possible substitutions
Swap canned fire-roasted tomatoes for 5 fresh Roma tomatoes or 4 tomatoes on the vine.
Cut each tomato in 4 pieces and roast them along with the peppers.
Substitute fresh parsley with basil.
Vegan parmesan is optional.
If you consume dairy then use vegetarian Parmesan instead.
Important tips to make great tasting Roasted pepper sauce
Use pasta of your choice. Gluten-free works great ( Not in the instant pot) !
Add extra red chili flakes for some heat.
Use only red bell peppers.
Do not overcook the pasta.
Always toss pasta with the sauce just before serving it.
Storing roasted pepper pasta sauce
This sauce stays well in the fridge for 3 days.Make a big batch and freeze it up to 4 months in a freezer-safe container.