Rigatoni with Roasted Red Peppers, Walnuts, and Basil
The key to fabulous flavor for this pasta sauce is using good quality roasted peppers so they have a fresh Italian flavor.
Ingredients
- 16 oz. rigatoni noodles (use wheat/gluten-free if needed)
- 3 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 yellow or white onion finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced, about 1 tsp.
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
- 12 oz. roasted red peppers drained if jarred and thinly sliced, sold in a jar or homemade
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves sliced
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese or to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to the package directions.
- Meanwhile, in a large heavy skillet, heat 2 Tbsp. oil over medium heat, and sauté the onions and garlic for about 3 minutes until the onions start to get tender.
- Add the walnuts and cook for about 2 more minutes, until the onions are translucent.
- Add the red peppers and simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 5 more minutes.
- Add the basil and cook it for about 2 more minutes.
- Drain the noodles and combine them with the sauce, and stir in the remaining oil. Serve it with the Parmesan cheese (you may want to stir some cheese into the finished dish and top it with extra cheese at the table).
Notes
Do Ahead or Delegate: Cook the pasta and store tossed with a little oil to prevent sticking, dice the onion, peel the garlic, slice the peppers, chop the walnuts, grate the Parmesan cheese if necessary.
Scramble Flavor Booster: Add an extra clove of garlic to the sauce and use feta cheese instead of the Parmesan.
Tip: As a Scrambler, you've probably figured out that I'm crazy about nuts and love to include them in Scramble recipes. Turns out I'm not alone—a recent Harvard study determined that nuts rank among the top 10 convenience-oriented snacks among Americans looking to maintain a healthy diet. Nuts are a good addition to snacks and recipes due to their heart-healthy qualities, protein, and fiber.
Nutritional Information Per Serving (% based upon daily values): Calories 310, Total Fat: 9g, 14%; Saturated Fat: 2g, 8%; Cholesterol: 5mg, 0%; Sodium: 45mg, 2%; Total Carbohydrate: 47g, 16%; Dietary Fiber: 3g, 12%; Sugar: 3g; Protein: 10g
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