Description
A delicious and creamy tomato and pepper pasta dish featuring sautéed bell peppers, fragrant garlic, and a rich tomato cream sauce, finished with Parmesan cheese and fresh basil. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces Penne or fettuccine pasta
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons Extra virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 cup Bell peppers (red and yellow), sliced
- 1 cup Tomato puree
- 1 cup Heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Garnish
- 1/4 cup Fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving a cup of pasta water, and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Cook Bell Peppers: Add the sliced bell peppers to the skillet and sauté for 5 to 7 minutes until they are softened and slightly tender.
- Simmer Tomato Puree: Pour in the tomato puree and let it simmer for 5 minutes to develop the flavors and reduce slightly.
- Make Cream Sauce: Reduce the heat and stir in the heavy cream. Mix until the sauce thickens and becomes creamy.
- Add Cheese & Season: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, then season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss well to coat with the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add some of the reserved pasta water to loosen it to desired consistency.
- Garnish and Serve: Stir in chopped fresh basil. Serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese and basil if desired.
Notes
- Use penne or fettuccine for the best texture, but feel free to substitute your favorite pasta.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency as needed.
- Fresh basil adds a bright fresh flavor; dried basil can be used in a pinch but use less.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a plant-based cream alternative.
- Parmesan cheese enhances the sauce, but you can adjust the quantity to taste or use a vegetarian hard cheese.
