10-Minute Creamy Red Pepper Pasta Sauce – Quick, Cozy, and Delicious

There are evenings when you want something comforting and creamy — but you don’t want to stand over the stove for an hour. You want bold flavor, silky texture, and something that tastes like it simmered all day… ready in minutes.

That’s where this 10-Minute Creamy Red Pepper Pasta Sauce comes in.

It’s vibrant. It’s velvety. It’s deeply flavorful. And it comes together faster than it takes to boil pasta. Made with roasted red peppers, garlic, cream, and Parmesan, this sauce is rich without being heavy, cozy without being complicated.

If you’re searching for a creamy red pepper pasta sauce that feels fancy but is secretly effortless, you’ve just found it.


Why You’ll Love This Creamy Red Pepper Sauce

  • Ready in just 10 minutes
  • Uses simple pantry ingredients
  • Naturally vegetarian
  • Creamy without being overly rich
  • Perfect for weeknights or meal prep

This sauce transforms basic pasta into something restaurant-worthy. The roasted red peppers provide natural sweetness and depth, while garlic and Parmesan add savory richness.

And the best part? It all happens in one pan and a blender.


Ingredients

  • 1 jar (12–16 oz) roasted red peppers, drained
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • ¼ cup reserved pasta water (if serving with pasta)
  • 12 ounces pasta of choice

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve ¼ cup pasta water before draining.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
  3. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to brown it.
  4. Transfer roasted red peppers and sautéed garlic to a blender. Blend until completely smooth.
  5. Pour the blended mixture back into the skillet over low heat.
  6. Stir in heavy cream and simmer gently for 2–3 minutes.
  7. Add Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir until smooth and creamy.
  8. Toss cooked pasta directly into the sauce. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen the sauce if needed.
  9. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan and fresh herbs if desired.

10-Minute Creamy Red Pepper Pasta Sauce

A quick and cozy creamy red pepper pasta sauce made with roasted red peppers, garlic, cream, and Parmesan in just 10 minutes.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 420

Ingredients
  

Sauce
  • 1 jar roasted red peppers drained
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 0.5 cup heavy cream
  • 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese grated
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper
  • 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes optional

Equipment

  • Blender
  • Skillet
  • Large pot
  • Wooden spoon

Method
 

  1. Cook pasta according to package directions.
  2. Sauté garlic in olive oil.
  3. Blend roasted red peppers with garlic until smooth.
  4. Return to skillet and stir in cream and Parmesan.
  5. Toss pasta with sauce and adjust consistency with pasta water.

Notes

Blend thoroughly for ultra-smooth texture. Adjust spice to taste.

The Secret to Silky Smooth Sauce

The key to an ultra-creamy roasted red pepper sauce is blending thoroughly. Let the blender run longer than you think — this creates a velvety texture without needing flour or butter.

Also, adding a splash of pasta water helps emulsify the sauce, giving it that glossy, restaurant-quality finish.


Flavor Profile

This quick pasta sauce recipe balances:

  • Sweetness from roasted red peppers
  • Savory depth from garlic and Parmesan
  • Rich creaminess from heavy cream
  • Gentle heat from red pepper flakes

It’s smooth, cozy, and just slightly sweet — which makes it especially comforting.


Variations to Try

Make It Vegan

Swap heavy cream for coconut cream and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan.

Add Protein

Stir in grilled chicken, shrimp, or Italian sausage.

Extra Veggie Boost

Blend in sautéed onions or spinach for added nutrients.

Smoky Twist

Add a pinch of smoked paprika for extra depth.


Best Pasta Shapes for This Sauce

This easy creamy pasta sauce works beautifully with:

  • Penne
  • Rigatoni
  • Fusilli
  • Fettuccine

Anything that holds onto sauce is ideal.


What to Serve With It

Pair your creamy red pepper pasta with:

  • Garlic bread
  • Simple green salad
  • Roasted broccoli
  • Sparkling water with lemon

It’s hearty enough to stand alone but versatile enough to complement other dishes.


Storage & Reheating

Store leftover sauce separately in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

To reheat:

  • Warm gently over low heat.
  • Add a splash of cream or milk if it thickens too much.

This sauce also freezes well for up to 2 months.


Why This Sauce Is a Weeknight Hero

Sometimes the simplest recipes become the most loved. This 10 minute pasta sauce proves you don’t need complicated ingredients to create bold flavor.

It’s creamy, colorful, comforting — and ready before you can even set the table.

Once you try it, you’ll keep a jar of roasted red peppers in your pantry at all times.

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