Today, I’m excited to share my take on creamy red pepper pasta, a dish that’s not only bursting with unique flavors but also incredibly simple to make. This red pepper pasta has all the usual kitchen staple ingredients, with nothing fancy here. While I have followed the classic Mediterranean flavor profile of pasta, this variation stands out with its bold flavors from the red bell pepper. I would never think of adding bell peppers to a pasta-like dish without roasting them. Red peppers are roasted before being blended into a creamy sauce with a vibrant color. The roasting process gives it a smokiness that compliments the sweetness of the peppers. The smoky flavor makes them different from the zillion other kinds of pasta out there. I have chosen bucatini as a choice of pasta here. But you may use spaghetti here too. Bucatini are long, straw-like pasta resembling tubes with a hole in the center. It is better than spaghetti or linguine since it can hold creamy sauce inside, which gives it a better bite. But you may go with the former choices too. With aromatics like onion and garlic to build a base, tomato pasta and parmesan give it a savory depth. I wanted to make this more creamy and luscious, hence the cream cheese. I have sprinkled chopped basil on top for freshness.
Salad pairing: Salads with a light and refreshing dressing pair well with this creamy, cheesy pasta. Try my Cherry Tomato Salad, white bean salad with a lemony dressing, Sweet Potato Salad with fall flavors, or Cucumber Strawberry Salad with a fruity palate. Garlic Bread: Cheesy Garlic Bread is an excellent side dish that pairs with pasta. It has crunchy edges and is garlicky and cheesy. Another garlicky recipe is No-Knead Roasted Garlic Foccacia. A plain option is No-Knead Rustic White Bread. Roasted/grilled Chicken: Grilled Rosemary Chicken Kebabs, Easy Grilled Chicken, and Roasted Harissa Chicken are delicious chicken mains from the grill or oven. Meat dishes: Pan-Seared Lamb Chop Recipe, Skillet pork chops, and Chili Garlic Shrimp are some sumptuous meats and seafood to pair with tomato pasta. Air-fried: The sides are fried, but in a healthy way. Salmon, Chicken & Potatoes, Roasted Broccoli, and Chicken Wings (3 Ways) are quick and easy mains done in an air fryer. Roasted veggies: Roasted Lemon Pepper Zucchini and Pecan Honey Roasted Carrot will complement the rich pasta.
