Pasta Fiesta

Get ready to bring bold colors and flavors to your table with Pasta Fiesta, a vibrant and creamy pasta dish that’s as delightful as its name suggests! This recipe pairs tender penne pasta with a medley of sautéed vegetables like red and yellow bell peppers, zucchini, and juicy cherry tomatoes, creating a rainbow of freshness in every bite. The star of the sauce is a luscious blend of heavy cream, tomato paste, and grated Parmesan, infused with Italian seasoning and a hint of crushed red pepper flakes for a touch of heat. Finished with fragrant fresh basil, this 40-minute one-skillet recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners or casual entertaining. Whether you're craving comfort food or something colorful and wholesome, Pasta Fiesta is your ultimate crowd-pleasing dish.

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 oz Penne pasta
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 3 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
• 1 medium Red bell pepper, diced
• 1 medium Yellow bell pepper, diced
• 1 medium Zucchini, sliced into half-moons
• 1.5 cups Cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup Heavy cream
• 2 tbsp Tomato paste
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 0.5 tsp Crushed red pepper flakes
• 0.75 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp Salt
• 0.5 tsp Black pepper
• 0.25 cup Fresh basil leaves, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.

Step 2

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.

Step 3

Add the diced red and yellow bell peppers and zucchini to the skillet. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are tender but still slightly crisp.

Step 4

Stir in the cherry tomatoes and cook for another 2-3 minutes until they begin to soften.

Step 5

In a small bowl, whisk together the heavy cream and tomato paste until smooth. Pour this mixture into the skillet with the vegetables.

Step 6

Add the Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Stir to combine and let the sauce simmer for 3-4 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.

Step 7

Reduce the heat to low and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce becomes creamy and well-incorporated.

Step 8

Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat it evenly with the sauce and vegetables.

Step 9

Garnish the Pasta Fiesta with chopped fresh basil leaves before serving.

Step 10

Serve hot and enjoy your vibrant, flavorful Pasta Fiesta!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1476.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2719.3

Total Fat 134.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 64.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 300mg	0%
Sodium 3515.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 292.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 24.4g	0%
Total Sugars 25.3g
Protein 77.2g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 851.5mg	0%
Iron 19.4mg	0%
Potassium 2821.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 44.9%

Protein: 11.5%

Carbs: 43.6%