Print

Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Smoked Gouda Pasta

creamy roasted red pepper smoked gouda pasta - featured image
Print Recipe

A cozy and indulgent pasta dish featuring a creamy sauce made from smoked gouda and roasted red peppers, perfect for quick and comforting dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces penne or rigatoni pasta
  • 1 cup (about 150 grams) roasted red peppers, drained and roughly chopped
  • 8 ounces (225 grams) smoked gouda cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons (30 grams) unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil
  • ½ cup (50 grams) Parmesan cheese, grated
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • Fresh basil or parsley (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of penne or rigatoni and cook according to package instructions (usually 10-12 minutes) until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving about ½ cup (120 ml) of pasta water.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 2 tablespoons unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. When butter melts, add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
  3. In a food processor or blender, combine chopped roasted red peppers with the garlic butter mixture and 1 cup heavy cream. Blend until smooth and creamy. If no blender is available, finely chop peppers and mash with garlic and cream directly in the pan, stirring constantly.
  4. Pour the pepper-cream mixture back into the skillet (if blended separately) and heat over medium-low. Gradually stir in shredded smoked gouda cheese until melted and smooth.
  5. Add grated Parmesan cheese and stir to combine. If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time to reach desired consistency.
  6. Season the sauce with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, being cautious with salt due to the flavorful gouda.
  7. Add the drained pasta to the sauce in the skillet and toss gently to coat all noodles evenly. Warm through for 1-2 minutes to allow pasta to absorb some sauce.
  8. Serve immediately, garnished with chopped fresh basil or parsley if desired.

Notes

Melt cheese slowly over low heat to prevent clumping. Use reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. If no blender is available, finely chop and mash peppers with garlic and cream in the pan. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk and use vegan smoked cheese alternatives. Gluten-free pasta can be used without affecting flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy pasta, roasted red pepper, smoked gouda, easy dinner, comfort food, quick pasta recipe

Find it online: https://avabake.com/creamy-roasted-red-pepper-smoked-gouda-pasta-recipe-easy-homemade-dinner-idea/