A Rare Spicy Creamy Red Bell Pepper Pasta Sauce Inspired by Italy
Published on Jul 29, 2025
Discover how to recreate a rare and nostalgic spicy creamy red bell pepper pasta sauce, inspired by a unique jarred sauce found only in Italy. This flavorful sauce, reminiscent of pesto alla calabrese, brings authentic Italian taste right to your kitchen.
If you love Italian cuisine, you’ll want to try this rare and delicious pasta sauce that Stephen Cusato from Not Another Cooking Show recreates in his video "a RARE PASTA SAUCE I ate weekly when I lived in ITALY." This spicy, creamy red bell pepper sauce is a nostalgic recipe inspired by a jarred version Stephen found during his time living in Italy. Believed to be a variation of the famous pesto alla calabrese, it blends fresh bell peppers with a kick of Calabrian chili, combining creaminess and heat in a perfect harmony.
Stephen uses simple ingredients and techniques to replicate the authentic flavors he cherished overseas, making it easy for you to bring a taste of Italy to your home kitchen. The sauce pairs beautifully with pasta shapes like cavatappi, which Stephen recommends—especially the organic Felicetti Cavatappi available with a discount code in his video description.
Whether you're looking to spice up your weeknight dinners or impress guests with an unusual yet comforting pasta sauce, this recipe is a must-try. Dive into the full method, tips, and ingredients by watching Stephen’s detailed guide, and don't forget to save your favorite recipes into the ClipDish app for easy access when cooking.
Happy cooking, and buon appetito!
Recipe and video content courtesy of Stephen Cusato from the YouTube channel Not Another Cooking Show.
Watch the full video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0DkkLsvF4o
Spicy Creamy Red Bell Pepper Pasta Sauce (Pesto alla Calabrese Variation)
A spicy, creamy red bell pepper pasta sauce inspired by a rare sauce found in Italy. This recipe recreates a nostalgic variation of pesto alla calabrese, perfect for elevating your pasta dishes.
Ingredients
- 4 large red bell peppers
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-2 Calabrian chilis or red chili peppers, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil leaves, a handful
- Fresh parsley, a handful
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar or lemon juice
- 1/4 cup heavy cream (optional for extra creaminess)
- Cooked pasta of choice (such as Felicetti Cavatappi)
Directions
- Roast the red bell peppers until charred, then peel off skins and remove seeds. Mince the garlic and finely chop the Calabrian chilis. Wash and roughly chop basil and parsley.
- Measure out ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan, and heavy cream if using.
- Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and chopped Calabrian chilis; sauté until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
- In a food processor or blender, combine roasted red peppers, sautéed garlic and chilis with olive oil, ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, basil, parsley, and red wine vinegar or lemon juice.
- Blend the mixture until smooth and creamy. Add heavy cream if desired, and blend again until fully incorporated.
- Taste and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your preference.
- Add the sauce to freshly cooked pasta and toss well to coat evenly.
- Serve immediately, garnished with extra grated Parmesan and fresh herbs if desired.
Mise en Place
Making the Sauce
Serving
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