Go Back

Recipe by:

Dana Ramsey

Delicious Easy Red Pesto Pasta

This Easy Red Pesto Pasta combines roasted red peppers and nuts in a vibrant sauce, enveloping perfectly cooked pasta for a comforting dish.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Group: Ingredients
  • 250 g pasta (fusilli or penne)
  • 1 jar roasted red peppers (about 280g, drained)
  • 50 g nuts (pine nuts or walnuts)
  • 50 g grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 clove garlic, peeled
  • 50 ml extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)
  • a handful fresh basil leaves (for garnish)

Equipment

  • Food processor
  • Large pot
  • Mixing bowl

Method
 

  1. Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Make sure to reserve a cup of pasta water before draining!
  2. While the pasta is cooking, add the roasted red peppers, nuts, Parmesan cheese, and garlic to a food processor. Pulse a few times until the mixture is chunky. Then, with the machine running, slowly pour in the olive oil until the pesto is smooth and creamy. If it looks too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to achieve your desired consistency.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, blend the cooked pasta with the red pesto. Toss until every noodle is beautifully coated. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper to enhance the flavors.
  4. Divide the pasta among warm bowls, garnishing with fresh basil leaves and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan if you're feeling indulgent!

Notes

This pasta dish is not just quick and easy to make but is also a great option for meal prep! Store the red pesto and pasta separately, combining them right before serving for optimal freshness.