Description
Creamy, smoky roasted red pepper rigatoni made with a velvety plant-based sauce of roasted red peppers and cashews. A quick, comforting, and dairy-free pasta dish ready in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
12 oz rigatoni pasta
2 large red bell peppers, roasted and peeled
1/2 cup raw cashews (soaked in hot water for 15 minutes)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Salt and black pepper to taste
1/2 cup unsweetened plant milk (such as almond or oat)
Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook rigatoni pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté diced onion for 3–4 minutes until translucent.
- Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
- In a blender, combine roasted red peppers, sautéed onion and garlic mixture, soaked cashews, nutritional yeast, tomato paste, smoked paprika, plant milk, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Return the blended sauce to the skillet and heat over low-medium heat until warmed through. Adjust seasoning as needed.
- Add the cooked rigatoni to the sauce and toss until well coated.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh chopped basil or parsley.
Notes
Use jarred roasted red peppers to save time; just drain them well.
Substitute cashews with silken tofu or sunflower seeds for a nut-free version.
Add sautéed spinach or mushrooms for extra veggies.
Increase red pepper flakes or add roasted jalapeño for more heat.
Top with vegan parmesan or extra nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor.
Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Reheat with a splash of plant milk or water to loosen the sauce.
The sauce can be frozen separately for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 13g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
