Best Pesto Red Pepper Pasta Recipes

WALNUT & RED PEPPER PESTO PASTA

Steps:

• Cook the pasta following pack instructions. Meanwhile, toast the walnuts in a dry pan for a few mins. Add half the walnuts to the small bowl of a food processor or a hand chopper, along with the red peppers, Parmesan, garlic, basil, oil and some seasoning. Whizz to a paste, adding a splash of water from the pasta if it is a little dry.
• Drain the pasta, reserving a cup of the cooking water. Return the pasta to the pan and set over a low heat. Add the pesto, mascarpone and 3-4 tbsp of the reserved pasta water, then stir until the mascarpone has melted, adding a splash more pasta water if the sauce needs thinning. To serve, crush the remaining walnuts in your hand and scatter over the pasta with a few more basil leaves and some extra Parmesan.

RED PEPPER PESTO PASTA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot with lightly-salted water to a boil. Stir the penne into the water and return to a boil. Cook until the pasta is mostly tender but still firm to the bite, about 11 minutes; drain. Transfer the drained pasta to a large bowl.
• Place the basil, red pepper, and Parmesan cheese in the bowl of a food processor; stream the olive oil into the mixture as it blends until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Drizzle the sauce over the cooked pasta and toss to coat.

CHICKEN, RED BELL PEPPER, & PESTO PASTA

Steps:

• Cook bell pepper in 2 tsp oil in a small saucepan. Remove from pan.
• Cook whole chicken breast in leftover oil, plus ~2tsp. Remove from pan. Allow to cool. Cut into bite-sized pieces.
• Mix pesto package with water and oil. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Turn heat to low.
• Add chicken and pepper to pesto sauce, cook under low heat, covered, ~5 minutes, until everything's warm.
• Mix pasta into the sauce, pepper, and chicken.
• Keep on low heat, uncovered, 5 minutes to let flavors mingle (or not, if you want more distinct flavor).
• Enjoy!

MOP-IT-UP PASTA SALAD MUSHROOMS, PEPPERS AND ONIONS PASTA SALAD WITH RED PEPPER PESTO

Steps:

• Place a large pot of water on to boil for pasta.
• Combine roasted peppers, garlic, pine nuts, parsley, salt and pepper and cheese in a food processor. Turn the processor on and stream in the extra-virgin olive oil to form a thick, pasty sauce forms. Adjust seasoning and transfer sauce to a large bowl.
• Add salt to boiling water and cook pasta to al dente, drain and cool under running cold water. Drain well a second time. Add cooked, cooled pasta to the pesto sauce. Add remaining ingredients to the bowl and toss to coat salad evenly. Adjust salt and pepper to your taste and serve or chill up to 48 hours.

PEA, RED PEPPER AND PESTO PASTA TOSS

Steps:

• Cook the pasta according to directions. Combine the pasta with olive oil, toss to coat and let stand until room temp. Puree the pesto, spinach and lemon juice in a food processor. Add the mayo and process until mixed. Stir into the cooled pasta. Add parm cheese, peas, bell pepper, pine nuts, salt and pepper. Sprinkle tomatoes over top and serve.

SMOKY SUN-DRIED TOMATO AND RED PEPPER PESTO PASTA

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the bell peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, almonds, vinegar and garlic. Using an immersion blender, pulse until a coarse puree forms. Slowly add the 1/2 cup olive oil, blending until a thick pesto forms. Fold in the cheese and season with salt and pepper. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Fill the chamber of a handheld smoking gun with apple wood chips and smoke the pesto according to the manufacturer's instructions. Repeat the smoking with another chamber of chips. Let stand for 10 minutes. Preheat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Lightly brush the chicken breasts with olive oil and season on both sides with salt and pepper. Grill the chicken, turning once, until cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board, cover loosely with aluminum foil and let rest for 5 minutes. Slice the chicken thinly on the bias. In a large sauté pan over medium heat, combine the pesto and the reserved pasta water and heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through, about 5 minutes. Reserve 1/4 cup of the pesto. Add the pasta and spinach to the remaining pesto in the sauté pan and cook until the spinach is wilted, about 2 minutes. Divide the pasta among 4 warmed bowls and fan the chicken slices on top. Drizzle with the reserved pesto, sprinkle with the parsley and serve immediately. Serves 4.

PESTO RED PEPPER PASTA

Steps:

• Cook linguine according to package directions. Meanwhile, for pesto, combine the basil, almonds and garlic in a blender or food processor; cover and process for 1 minute or until finely chopped. While processing, gradually add oil in a steady stream., Add the cheeses, salt and pepper; pulse until combined. Drain linguine; toss with pesto and roasted peppers.