Roasted Red Pepper Pasta | High Protein Dinner Recipe

Introduction

Roasted Red Pepper Pasta is a vibrant, creamy, and irresistibly savory dish that combines the smoky sweetness of roasted peppers with a luscious pasta sauce—elevated to a high-protein dinner with smart ingredient choices. This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, health-conscious meal preppers, or anyone craving a satisfying yet nutritious meal. Its bold flavors and velvety texture make it a true crowd pleaser, while the high protein content supports muscle growth and keeps you feeling full longer.

Why You’ll Love Roasted Red Pepper Pasta

Unlike traditional pasta in heavy cream sauces, this recipe features a roasted red pepper base that creates rich flavor without the excess calories or dairy. By incorporating protein-packed components like Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, or grilled chicken, you’ll have a wholesome, filling dinner that’s every bit as comforting as classic creamy pastas.

Getting the Perfect Creamy Pepper Sauce

Charred red bell peppers are blended with garlic, parmesan, and your protein of choice (like creamy cottage cheese or Greek yogurt) to create a deliciously smooth sauce. Roasting the peppers develops their natural sweetness and imparts a smoky depth, while the added protein delivers the rich, creamy texture you crave—no heavy cream required!

How to Make a High Protein Pasta Meal

Integrate grilled or rotisserie chicken, sautéed Italian chicken sausage, or even lentil-based pasta to give the dish a protein boost. Swirling cottage cheese or Greek yogurt into the sauce amps up the protein while ensuring the sauce remains luxuriously creamy. This roasted red pepper pasta adapts effortlessly whether you’re vegetarian, pescatarian, or simply focused on high-protein eating.

Serving Suggestions for a Protein Powerhouse Dinner

Plate your pasta hot, topped with extra grilled chicken and a generous sprinkle of parmesan. For an extra dose of color and nutrients, garnish with fresh chopped basil and a side of steamed broccoli. Pair with a crisp side salad for balance, or include whole grain bread for added fiber.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This high-protein pasta yields about 4 hearty servings. Each serving provides approximately 28–35 grams of protein (depending on ingredient choices) and 400–500 calories per bowl. It’s a balanced, feel-good meal perfect for muscle recovery, meal prep, or guilt-free seconds!

Roasted Red Pepper Pasta | High Protein Dinner Recipe (Recap)

A creamy, smoky, and protein-packed pasta dish that’s easy enough for a weeknight yet impressive enough for guests. Smoky roasted peppers are beautifully blended with your favorite high-protein add-ins, delivering maximum flavor with wholesome benefits.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to instantly generate a categorized shopping list—sorted by store section—to make grocery runs efficient and meal planning effortless.

Instructions

1. Roast the red peppers: Preheat your oven’s broiler. Place whole red peppers on a baking sheet and broil, turning occasionally, until the skins are blistered and blackened (about 10 minutes). Transfer peppers to a bowl, cover, and steam for 5 minutes. Peel, deseed, and roughly chop.
2. Cook the pasta: Boil high protein pasta according to package directions. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
3. Blend the sauce: In a blender or food processor, combine roasted peppers, cottage cheese (or Greek yogurt), garlic, 1 tablespoon olive oil, smoked paprika, parmesan, basil, and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Blend until creamy and smooth.
4. Heat the sauce: In a large skillet, warm the remaining tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Pour in the pepper sauce, adding a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen if needed. Simmer for 2–3 minutes.
5. Combine and serve: Toss cooked pasta and grilled chicken/sausage (if using) in the sauce until heated through and evenly coated. Serve garnished with more basil, parmesan, and optional red pepper flakes.

Weekly Meal Planning

This high protein Roasted Red Pepper Pasta is ideal for batch cooking and weekly meal prep. Save and schedule this recipe for your week to auto-generate shopping lists and streamline your meal planning.

Planning Benefits:

• Calculates total quantities for overlapping ingredients across planned recipes
• Sorts your grocery list by aisle, saving time at the store
• Prevents missed ingredients and duplicate purchases
• Makes high-protein meal prep organized, easy, and efficient

Pro tip: When you batch-plan recipes, schedule your full week to see where proteins, veggies, or pantry staples overlap—streamlining shopping and reducing food waste.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes