This delightful red pepper goat cheese pasta is a perfect blend of creamy and tangy flavors, making it a comforting yet sophisticated dish. The combination of roasted red peppers, garlic, and fresh basil creates a vibrant sauce that pairs beautifully with your favorite pasta. It's an easy-to-make recipe that will impress your family and friends.
Nutritional yeast might not be a staple in every kitchen, but it's a fantastic ingredient that adds a cheesy, nutty flavor to dishes. If you're heading to the supermarket, make sure to pick up a can of diced tomatoes and fresh basil as well, as these ingredients are essential for the sauce's rich and fresh taste.
Ingredients for Red Pepper Goat Cheese Pasta
Pasta: Any type of pasta will work for this recipe, so choose your favorite or whatever you have on hand.
Olive oil: Used for sautéing the vegetables, it adds a rich flavor to the dish.
Red bell pepper: Provides a sweet and slightly smoky flavor when cooked.
Garlic: Adds a pungent and aromatic depth to the sauce.
Diced tomatoes: These canned tomatoes form the base of the sauce, adding a tangy and slightly sweet flavor.
Nutritional yeast: A deactivated yeast that adds a cheesy, nutty flavor to the sauce.
Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the dish.
Black pepper: Adds a mild heat and depth to the sauce.
Fresh basil: Provides a fresh, aromatic finish to the pasta.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When blending the sauce, ensure it is completely smooth to achieve a creamy texture that mimics the consistency of goat cheese. This will help the nutritional yeast integrate seamlessly, giving the sauce a rich, cheesy flavor. Additionally, reserve a cup of pasta water before draining; you can add a splash of it to the sauce if it becomes too thick, ensuring the pasta is well-coated and silky.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
Goat cheese - Substitute with cashew cheese: Cashew cheese provides a creamy texture and tangy flavor similar to goat cheese, making it a great vegan alternative.
Goat cheese - Substitute with tofu ricotta: Tofu ricotta mimics the creamy consistency of goat cheese and can be flavored to match its tanginess.
Pasta - Substitute with gluten-free pasta: For those who are gluten intolerant, gluten-free pasta made from rice, quinoa, or legumes is a suitable alternative.
Olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a similar healthy fat profile and a neutral flavor, making it a good substitute for olive oil.
Red bell pepper - Substitute with roasted red pepper: Roasted red peppers offer a deeper, smoky flavor that can enhance the dish.
Garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can be used in place of fresh garlic if you need a more convenient option, though fresh garlic is preferred for its robust flavor.
Diced canned tomatoes - Substitute with fresh tomatoes: Fresh tomatoes can be diced and used in place of canned tomatoes for a fresher taste.
Nutritional yeast - Substitute with vegan parmesan: Vegan parmesan can provide a cheesy flavor similar to nutritional yeast, enhancing the dish's taste.
Salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can be used as a direct substitute for regular salt, offering a slightly different mineral profile.
Black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper can be used if you prefer a milder pepper flavor without the black specks.
Fresh basil - Substitute with dried basil: Dried basil can be used if fresh basil is unavailable, though it will have a less vibrant flavor.
Other Alternative Recipes
How To Store / Freeze This Dish
- Allow the pasta to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the dish soggy.
- Transfer the pasta to an airtight container. This helps maintain freshness and prevents the absorption of other odors from the fridge.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. The red pepper and nutritional yeast sauce will keep well within this timeframe.
- For freezing, portion the pasta into individual servings. This makes it easier to reheat only what you need.
- Use freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Squeeze out as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
- Label the containers with the date. This helps you keep track of how long the pasta has been stored.
- Freeze for up to 2 months. While the pasta will remain safe to eat beyond this period, the quality may start to decline.
- To reheat, thaw the pasta in the refrigerator overnight. This ensures even reheating and prevents the sauce from separating.
- Reheat on the stovetop over medium heat, adding a splash of olive oil or vegetable broth to refresh the sauce.
- Alternatively, microwave in a microwave-safe dish, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating.
How To Reheat Leftovers
Stovetop Method:
- Place a skillet over medium heat and add a splash of olive oil or a bit of water to prevent sticking.
- Add the leftover pasta to the skillet.
- Stir occasionally and heat for about 5-7 minutes until the pasta is warmed through.
- If the sauce has thickened too much, add a small amount of water or vegetable broth to loosen it up.
Microwave Method:
- Transfer the pasta to a microwave-safe dish.
- Add a tablespoon of water or vegetable broth to keep the pasta moist.
- Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or a damp paper towel.
- Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stir, and then continue heating in 30-second intervals until warmed through.
Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the pasta in an oven-safe dish and cover with aluminum foil to prevent drying out.
- Bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until the pasta is heated through.
- Stir halfway through the reheating process for even warming.
Double Boiler Method:
- Fill a pot with a couple of inches of water and bring it to a simmer.
- Place a heatproof bowl over the pot, ensuring it doesn’t touch the water.
- Add the pasta to the bowl and stir occasionally.
- Heat until the pasta is warmed through, usually about 10 minutes.
Essential Tools for This Recipe
Pasta pot: A large pot used to cook the pasta according to package instructions.
Colander: A tool to drain the cooked pasta after boiling.
Large pan: Used to heat olive oil and cook the red bell pepper and garlic.
Wooden spoon: Ideal for stirring the vegetables and sauce in the pan.
Blender: Used to blend the cooked vegetable mixture into a smooth sauce.
Measuring spoons: Essential for measuring out the olive oil, salt, and black pepper accurately.
Chef's knife: Used to chop the red bell pepper and fresh basil.
Cutting board: A surface to safely chop the red bell pepper and fresh basil.
Can opener: Necessary for opening the can of diced tomatoes.
Garlic press: Used to mince the garlic cloves efficiently.
Serving bowl: A bowl to serve the finished pasta dish.
Tongs: Useful for tossing the pasta with the sauce in the pan.
How to Save Time on This Recipe
Pre-chop ingredients: Chop the red bell pepper and garlic in advance to save time during cooking.
Use canned tomatoes: Opt for diced canned tomatoes instead of fresh ones to cut down on prep time.
Cook pasta ahead: Boil the pasta earlier in the day and store it in the fridge, then reheat it when ready to use.
Blend in batches: If your blender is small, blend the sauce in batches to speed up the process.
Pre-measure spices: Measure out the nutritional yeast, salt, and black pepper before you start cooking.
Red Pepper Goat Cheese Pasta
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 12 oz Pasta any type
- 2 tablespoon Olive oil
- 1 Red bell pepper chopped
- 3 cloves Garlic minced
- 1 cup Canned tomatoes diced
- ¼ cup Nutritional yeast
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black pepper
- ¼ cup Fresh basil chopped
Instructions
- 1. Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- 2. In a pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped red bell pepper and cook until soft, about 5 minutes.
- 3. Add minced garlic and cook for another 2 minutes.
- 4. Add diced tomatoes, nutritional yeast, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- 5. Transfer the mixture to a blender and blend until smooth.
- 6. Return the sauce to the pan, add the cooked pasta, and toss to coat.
- 7. Serve with chopped fresh basil on top.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts
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