Pasta with Bell Pepper Onion Sauce

Elevate your weeknight dinner routine with this vibrant and flavorful Pasta with Bell Pepper Onion Sauce! This dish combines tender pasta with a creamy, tomato-based sauce that's bursting with the sweetness of red and yellow bell peppers, savory onions, and aromatic garlic. A medley of dried basil, oregano, and a hint of red pepper flakes infuse the sauce with an Italian-inspired flair, while a touch of heavy cream adds a luscious, velvety finish. Tossed together with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and garnished with bright parsley, this pasta is as comforting as it is colorful. Easy to prepare in just 35 minutes and perfect for pairing with garlic bread or a crisp side salad, this recipe is a go-to for quick yet impressive meals.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 oz pasta (penne, spaghetti, or your choice)
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large red bell pepper
• 1 large yellow bell pepper
• 1 medium onion
• 2 garlic cloves
• 14.5 oz canned diced tomatoes
• 0.5 cup heavy cream
• 0.5 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.

Step 2

While the pasta cooks, prepare the sauce. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Step 3

Slice the red and yellow bell peppers into thin strips and finely dice the onion. Mince the garlic cloves.

Step 4

Add the onions to the skillet and sauté for 2-3 minutes until they are softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute, being careful not to burn it.

Step 5

Add the sliced bell peppers to the skillet. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the peppers are tender.

Step 6

Stir in the canned diced tomatoes along with their juices, dried oregano, dried basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Allow the mixture to simmer for 5 minutes, letting the flavors meld together.

Step 7

Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream. Simmer for another 2 minutes until the sauce is slightly thickened.

Step 8

Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat the pasta evenly, adding the reserved pasta water a little at a time if the sauce is too thick.

Step 9

Sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese over the pasta and toss to combine. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper, if needed.

Step 10

Serve the pasta hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley. Pair with garlic bread or a side salad for a complete meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1503.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1719.7

Total Fat 97.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 40.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6.2g
Cholesterol 168.2mg	0%
Sodium 3635.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 162.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 22.1g	0%
Total Sugars 28.2g
Protein 46.0g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 678.1mg	0%
Iron 7.9mg	0%
Potassium 2103.3mg	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: 51.4%

Protein: 10.7%

Carbs: 37.9%