Pasta Fiesta
Get ready to bring bold colors and flavors to your table with Pasta Fiesta, a vibrant and creamy pasta dish that’s as delightful as its name suggests! This recipe pairs tender penne pasta with a medley of sautéed vegetables like red and yellow bell peppers, zucchini, and juicy cherry tomatoes, creating a rainbow of freshness in every bite. The star of the sauce is a luscious blend of heavy cream, tomato paste, and grated Parmesan, infused with Italian seasoning and a hint of crushed red pepper flakes for a touch of heat. Finished with fragrant fresh basil, this 40-minute one-skillet recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners or casual entertaining. Whether you're craving comfort food or something colorful and wholesome, Pasta Fiesta is your ultimate crowd-pleasing dish.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz Penne pasta
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 3 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
- 1 medium Red bell pepper, diced
- 1 medium Yellow bell pepper, diced
- 1 medium Zucchini, sliced into half-moons
- 1.5 cups Cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup Heavy cream
- 2 tbsp Tomato paste
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 0.5 tsp Crushed red pepper flakes
- 0.75 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Salt
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper
- 0.25 cup Fresh basil leaves, chopped
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
Add the diced red and yellow bell peppers and zucchini to the skillet. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are tender but still slightly crisp.
Stir in the cherry tomatoes and cook for another 2-3 minutes until they begin to soften.
In a small bowl, whisk together the heavy cream and tomato paste until smooth. Pour this mixture into the skillet with the vegetables.
Add the Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Stir to combine and let the sauce simmer for 3-4 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce becomes creamy and well-incorporated.
Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat it evenly with the sauce and vegetables.
Garnish the Pasta Fiesta with chopped fresh basil leaves before serving.
Serve hot and enjoy your vibrant, flavorful Pasta Fiesta!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
514 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 32.8 g | 42% | |
| Saturated Fat | 16.0 g | 80% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 75 mg | 25% | |
| Sodium | 774 mg | 34% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 39.6 g | 14% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 5.7 g | 20% | |
| Total Sugars | 8.9 g | ||
| Protein | 13.9 g | 28% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 216 mg | 17% | |
| Iron | 2.1 mg | 12% | |
| Potassium | 694 mg | 15% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
