Creamy Red Pepper Chickpea Pasta

Ceramic bowl with chickpea pasta in red pepper sauce.

Creamy Red Pepper Chickpea Pasta

Serving up a wholesome & protein packed chickpea pasta with a delicious & simple roasted red pepper sauce! This 15 minute meal is filled with flavor, has the creamiest cashew tomato sauce, and is vegan + gluten-free friendly.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American, Italian

Keyword chickpea pasta recipe, creamy vegan pasta, red pepper pasta sauce

Freezer Friendly Yes

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 8

Total Time 13

Servings

Calories 382kcal

Author Bethany Kramer

Ingredients

8 oz box chickpea pasta
2 cups pasta sauce
1 12 oz jar roasted red peppers, drained
1/2 cup raw cashews (see notes if not using high-powdered blender)
1/2 cup filtered water
2 Tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust level of spice to taste)
1 garlic clove *optional
salt & black pepper (season to taste)

Instructions

Bring a medium pot with water to a boil, season water with generous dash of salt (about 1-2 teaspoons). Cook pasta until "al dente" - it should have a bite to it and not be too soft.
In a high-powered blender, add tomato sauce, roasted peppers, cashews, water, red pepper flakes, and pinch of salt & pepper. Blend on high for 30 seconds or until consistency is super creamy and smooth. If sauce needs more flavor, add 1 garlic glove and season to taste with salt & black pepper if needed.
Warm red pepper sauce in pan over LOW heat. Then add cooked pasta to sauce with chopped basil. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

Using cashews: I've never needed to soak cashews when I use a high-powered blender. If you do not have a tool like that on hand, you'll need to soak your cashews in water for several hours or quick soak (see below). This will help soften the cashews so they come out creamy in the sauce and not chunky.

Quick soaking cashews: (if you do not have a high-powered blender and want a quick method for soaking cashews). Fill a small pot with water and add cashews, cover and bring to a boil. Then remove from heat and let cashews soak in hot water for 15-20 minutes. Drain and use in recipe!

Nutrition