A plate of linguine in a red pepper pesto sauce, garnished with fresh sliced basil leaves.

What we love about this red pesto pasta

  • The flavor combination of roasted red peppers with basil is outstanding.
  • The roasted red pepper pesto sauce can be made while the pasta cooks.
  • This recipe makes enough to toss two pounds of pasta. You can freeze the remainder, or you can keep it for up to two weeks in the fridge.
Red pesto pasta twirled around a fork on a plate.

Here’s what you’ll need to make it

Kitchen tools

A plate of red pesto pasta next to a bowl of grated cheese.

Ingredients you might need to pick up

  • Roasted red peppers – Don’t buy pickled peppers. I can’t tell you how many times I have made this mistake because I didn’t read the package.
  • Almonds – You don’t need to buy slivered almonds but it makes the blending process easier for your food processor and quicker for you. Plus you will likely end up with a better consistency to your sauce.
  • Fresh basil – You definitely need to use fresh basil leaves for a great pesto recipe. Plus, this is a great recipe for using basil you have in your garden.

Making changes to a recipe can result in recipe failure. Any substitutions listed below are simple changes that I believe will work in this recipe, but results are not guaranteed.

A food processor full of red pepper pesto, fully processed to a sauce.

How to make this red pepper pesto pasta recipe

Make the pesto. Add pesto ingredients to a food processor or blender. Blend until smooth. Divide sauce into two containers. Remember: You only need one for the recipe, freeze the other and make it in a month or so, you will thank us on a busy day!

Cook the pasta. Cook pasta to al denté, according to package instructions. Reserve about 1/4 cup reserved pasta water before draining.

Combine pasta with sauce. Stir pasta with sauce, adding about 2 tablespoons of pasta water at a time until pasta is well coated and sauce is creamy.

Close up of a thick red pasta sauce on a spoon and in a food processor bowl.

More pepper pasta recipes you will love

Other pesto pasta recipes you should try

Close up of linguine in a red pepper pesto sauce on a plate, garnished with pecorino romano and sliced fresh basil leaves.

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Red Pesto Pasta

This red pesto pasta has bold flavors, yet it’s light enough for everyone to enjoy. With a sauce that can be made while your pasta cooks, this meatless dish is perfect for a quick meal!
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 8

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces linguine
  • ½ cup pasta water (reserved)
For the sauce:
  • 1 cup roasted red bell peppers
  • 1 cup fresh basil leaves
  • 1 large garlic clove (peeled)
  • 2/3 cup slivered almonds
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon coarse salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  • Add all ingredients to a food processor or blender. Blend until smooth.
  • Cook pasta, according to package directions to al denté.
  • Reserve about 1/4 – ½ cup pasta water, then drain pasta.
  • Return pasta to pot and toss with sauce, adding about 2 tablespoons of pasta water at a time if needed.
  • Stir pasta with sauce until pasta is well coated and sauce is creamy.

Nutrition

Calories: 347kcal Carbohydrates: 45g Protein: 10g Fat: 14g Saturated Fat: 2g Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g Monounsaturated Fat: 10g Trans Fat: 0.001g Sodium: 536mg Potassium: 231mg Fiber: 3g Sugar: 2g Vitamin A: 268IU Vitamin C: 9mg Calcium: 50mg Iron: 1mg

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