Description
This tasty pesto calabrese is a deliciously spicy, savory sauce! This type of pesto is made with roasted red peppers and spicy pepper flakes, perfect for your next pasta night!
Ingredients
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- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 red bell peppers, stemmed, seeded, and thinly sliced
- 1 small yellow onion, chopped
- 2 Roma tomatoes, cored and chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes or 1/2 teaspoon Calabrian chili paste
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, plus more for garnish
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
- 1/2 teaspoon white wine vinegar
- 8oz short pasta such as ziti, penne, or fusilli
Instructions
- Add the olive oil and bell peppers to a large skillet, cover, and cook over medium-high heat for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the peppers have softened.
- Add the chopped onion, tomato, garlic, red pepper flakes, and salt and cook for 4-5 minutes.
- Allow the pepper mixture to cool slightly, then transfer it to a food processor or blender.
- Blend the pepper mixture with the ricotta, basil, Parmesan cheese, and vinegar until smooth.
- Add additional salt to taste, if needed.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water.
- Toss the cooked pasta with the sauce in a large bowl until combined. Add additional pasta water to thin the sauce, if needed.
- Top with additional Parmesan cheese, if desired.