Description
Homemade creamy red pepper alfredo pasta blends rich Italian flavors with simple ingredients. Creamy sauce and roasted peppers create a delightful meal that satisfies you with each comforting bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz (340 g) fettuccine, penne, or pasta of choice
- 2 large roasted red peppers (jarred or homemade)
- 1 cup (240 ml/8 fl oz) heavy cream (or coconut cream for dairy-free)
- ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese (or nutritional yeast for vegan)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for a bit of heat)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning (optional)
- 1 tbsp salt (for boiling water)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsps fresh basil, chopped (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Boil salted water and cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente, reserving a cup of starchy cooking liquid before draining.
- Sauce Foundation: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium temperature, then gently sauté minced garlic until fragrant without browning.
- Vegetable Infusion: Add diced red peppers to the skillet, stirring to caramelize and develop rich flavor profiles, creating a vibrant base for the sauce.
- Cream Transformation: Pour heavy cream into the skillet, then gradually whisk in parmesan cheese, creating a silky, smooth sauce while preventing any unwanted cheese clumping.
- Sauce Refinement: Integrate reserved pasta water slowly, emulsifying the sauce to achieve a perfect, clingy consistency that will elegantly coat the pasta.
- Final Assembly: Combine pasta with the creamy red pepper sauce, tossing thoroughly to ensure each strand is completely enveloped in the luxurious mixture.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle fresh parsley and cracked black pepper over the dish, adding a final touch of color, aroma, and sophisticated flavor complexity.
Notes
- Preserve Pasta Water: Starchy liquid acts as a magical sauce thickener and binding agent, helping create seamless texture and smooth consistency.
- Control Garlic Heat: Sauté garlic gently at medium-low temperature to prevent burning, which releases bitter flavors and ruins sauce delicacy.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Add parmesan gradually and whisk consistently to prevent clumping, ensuring silky smooth sauce without grainy texture.
- Dietary Adaptation Options: Substitute heavy cream with plant-based alternatives like cashew cream for vegan version, or use gluten-free pasta for celiac-friendly preparation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 49 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 16 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg