My hope is to inspire you to be fearless in the kitchen, to try new things, to take the time to make things the homemade way and most importantly, to have fun doing it!

Roasted Red Pepper and Basil Pesto Penne

23 comments
posted in: Main Dish
11.26
2008

red-pepper-penne

I mentioned recently how I get on a roll with certain ingredients in the kitchen.  As far as baking and sweet things are concerned, I have been all about cranberries lately, but where cooking and savory dishes are concerned, roasted red pepper is my new favorite thing.  I have been making lots of recipes that use it and add it to everything else I can think of.  I first tried this recipe a few weeks ago and while we really enjoyed it, I felt that the red pepper was barely even noticeable underneath the basil flavor and it just wasn’t quite what I was hoping for.  Yesterday I decided to give it another try with some modifications to achieve the results I was expecting the first time, and I was much happier with the end result this time.  The red pepper was definitely the key flavor and the basil was a nice accompaniment.  I think this would be especially great with some grilled chicken mixed in as well – maybe I will try that next time!

Recipe Rewind: tried and true favorites I’ve made recently
roasted tomato soup – the perfect match for a grilled cheese sandwich

Roasted Red Pepper and Basil Pesto Penne

Ingredients

  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 1/3 cup pine nuts
  • 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup roasted red bell pepper (fresh or jarred)
  • 1 cup basil leaves
  • ½ tsp. salt
  • ¼ tsp. pepper
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 lb. penne pasta
  • ¼ cup heavy cream, optional

Directions

  • Place garlic and pine nuts in a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped. Add Parmesan, red pepper, basil leaves, salt and pepper. Pulse until well combined. With the motor running, add olive oil through the feed tube and process until incorporated. Set aside.

  • Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and return to the pot. Add the pesto to the pasta and stir to combine. Stir in heavy cream if desired for a creamier sauce. Heat until warmed through. Serve immediately.

Source

adapted from Picky Palate
  • http://elizabethscooking.blogspot.com Elizabeth

    That looks really great. I’m definitely bookmarking it.

  • bakingblonde

    This sounds phenomenal! I love the combo of flavors!!

  • http://www.greigbery.blogspot.com Heather

    If I had all the ingredients, I would switch up the menu tonight! This will have to wait until after thanksgiving though…

  • http://familyfriendsandfood.blogspot.com Patsyk

    What a great combination! I love roasted red peppers, so it makes sense to me to incorporate them into a pesto. Delicious!

  • http://www.ghiododigarofano.blogspot.com valentina

    Questo piatto di pasta mi ispira moltissimo!!!!
    complimenti per il blog è pieno di ricette golose…
    hello!!! vale

  • http://dinneranddessert.wordpress.com Erin

    This looks great! It would be a big hit with us!

  • http://kelseysappleaday.blogspot.com/ Kelsey

    This looks delicious, Annie. I think it will be a perfect post-Thanksgiving, tired of all the leftovers meal.

  • http://travelinsuranceover65.org traktor7

    yammy!

  • Lauren

    I just made this for dinner – didn’t use the heavy cream. Absolutely wonderful!! Thanks for the recipe!

  • Faye

    I made this tonight and added italian sausage sine we have a larger family, it was amazing!

  • Michael

    Wow, just made this for dinner tonight and it was amazing. Wasn’t even too hard to make. I might add a bit of chili powder to it next time to give a bit of a kick. But fantastic recipe and fantastic photography (the picture sold me on making this tonight)

  • http://www.craftybalancing.blogspot.com Jeannie

    I’m so excited to try this! I am linking back to you on my August menu tomorrow!

  • Jessica

    Yummm! I just made this for dinner and both my husband and my 1 year old son loved it! I will make it again for sure!

  • http://voilalefromage.blogspot.com/ Stephenie

    I have been loving roasted red peppers as well…This recipe sounds amazing and I have all the ingredients to make it. I just made a roasted red pepper tomato soup! I want to review the recipe on my blog if you don’t mind?

  • Brandie

    I made this tonight after finding the recipe on “Pinterest”. My boyfriend and I both enjoyed it and will share the recipe! Awesome!

  • http://www.fatburningfurnace.com/blog/ Emily @ Fat Burning Furnace

    The roasted red peppers is what caught my attention initially. Then I looked through the ingredient list and knew this was the perfect recipe for an upcoming party. I can’t tell you how great this turned out….several of my co-workers asked me for the recipe. I plan to make it at home too!

  • Brandi

    Made this tonight and it was a hit!! Added grilled chicken and it was perfect! My mom hates pesto but loved this! I can’t wait to have the leftovers for lunch tomorrow:)

  • Brittany

    I made this last weekend and it was a hit! Everyone loved it and I gave the recipe out to two other people! The second time I made it I added mushrooms to it, delicious!

  • Katie

    Are there any replacements for pine nuts? Can I just leave them out? I can’t find any where I live.

  • Anonymous

    They are available at basically any grocery store. See the FAQ page for more info about substitutions.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1292687841 Luis Pacheco

    Made this today. Was simple, tasted great. I added grilled chicken. My wife was impressed.

  • Sara Deer

    I’m sure this is a great recipe, but I noticed that in the directions you say to add the Pesto, but don’t include that in your ingredients list… am I missing something?

  • annieseats

    The pesto is what is made in the whole first step. Then you mix it in with the pasta.

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