Roasted Red Pepper Sauce

Content… How to Use It Recipe Ingredients How to Make It Recipe Variations Tips and Tricks Make-Ahead Instructions Serving and Storage Instructions FAQs How to Serve It More Incredible Sauce Recipes to Try Conclusion Watch How to Make It

How to Use Roasted Red Pepper Sauce

This sauce is the epitome of versatility! It’s a great alternative to a traditional marinara sauce, so you can use it on pizza or pasta dishes. Additionally, it can be used as a dip for raw veggies or crusty French bread. Drizzle it over salad for an unconventional yet unique dressing, or add a dollop on hamburgers or sandwiches to take them from ordinary to extraordinary. The options are endless!

Recipe Ingredients

1. Onion and Garlic – I’m partial to the flavor of red onions, but a yellow onion would also work. And garlic is a must for the perfect flavor booster.
2. Peppers – Red peppers are the star of this recipe! Choose peppers that are firm and have a deep, vivid color. Jalapeños add heat, but for extra heat, you can use red jalapeños. Yes, you can leave the heat out if you prefer.
3. Tomato Paste – This ingredient thickens the sauce and adds depth of flavor with pleasant acidity.
4. Lemon Juice – There’s just something about lemons (or limes) that balance and brighten the flavor of almost anything.

How to Make Roasted Red Pepper Sauce

• Sauté Onion – Heat olive oil in a saucepan and add the chopped red onions. Stir for about 8 minutes until soft and slightly brown. (Photos 1-2)
• Sauté Garlic – Add the chopped garlic and stir until fragrant. Take the pan off the heat and let it cool. (Photos 3-4)
• Prep the Peppers – Cut the bell peppers and jalapeños in half lengthwise. Discard the seeds and membranes. Place pepper and jalapeño halves on a foil-lined baking sheet, skin side up. Flatten the pepper halves with your hand. (Photos 5-10)
• Roast – Lightly brush the vegetables with oil and roast for 25 minutes. The red pepper will begin to char slightly. (Photos 11-12)
• Sweat – Remove from the oven and instantly place only the red bell peppers in a bowl and cover with a kitchen towel. Let them sweat for 10 minutes, then peel and discard the skin. (Photos 13-16)
• Combine the Ingredients – Add the roasted peppers, jalapeños, sauteed onion and garlic, tomato paste, lemon juice, water, salt, and pepper to a blender or food processor. (Photo 17)
• Puree – Process or blend until smooth or until you reach the desired consistency. Taste test and season with a little more salt and pepper as needed. (Photo 18)
• Enjoy! – Use the sauce as a dip or pour it over pasta, cooked chicken, fish, or veggies, and serve.

Recipe Variations

1. You can personalize this sauce in several ways! Try adding some fresh basil for an extra herby flavor or a dash of smoked paprika for a smokier taste.
2. Half a cup of grated Parmesan will give the sauce a nuttier flavor and add texture.
3. You can add a dash of cream or coconut milk for a creamier sauce. Delish!
4. Add a ¼ cup of this fantastic sauce to a cup of homemade mayo for an incredible dipping sauce.

Tips and Tricks

1. This recipe is perfect for doubling! Double (or triple!) the amounts, then freeze the sauce in small containers so it’s easy to defrost for a quick weeknight meal.
2. Depending on their ripeness, the peppers may have a slightly bitter taste. Adding a sprinkle of sugar while blending should counteract the bitterness.
3. If you’d like a hearty pasta dish, you can pour this mouthwatering sauce over your favorite pasta, then top it with sliced grilled meat, chicken, fish, or shrimp.

Make-Ahead Instructions

If you roast your peppers ahead of time, covering them in a thin layer of olive oil before storing them in the fridge will increase the shelf life to 10-12 days. Or you can refrigerate them as is for up to 6 days. However, if I find them on sale, I’ll roast a bunch of them and store them in the freezer, where they last for 2 months.

You can also make this sauce 2-3 days ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the fridge.

Serving and Storage Instructions

This sauce is incredibly adaptable because it stores, freezes, and reheats beautifully! You can freeze roasted red pepper sauce for 3-4 months, which makes it perfect to have on hand for pasta or pizza night!

Reheating is a snap on the stovetop or microwave, directly from the freezer, or thawing overnight in the fridge.

FAQs

How to Serve Roasted Red Pepper Sauce

The options are endless! You could make an extraordinary pizza with homemade pizza dough, this amazing roasted red pepper sauce, and all your favorite pizza toppings.

Drizzle it over oven-baked salmon, chicken kabobs, or grilled shrimp kabobs to take those dishes to the next level. Or mix it with mayonnaise and dress your salmon or tossed salad to have your guests licking the salad bowl!

More Incredible Sauce Recipes to Try

For more delicious, versatile sauces, I recommend…

1. Chimichurri Sauce
2. Homemade Dill Sauce
3. Jerk Sauce
4. Peruvian Green Sauce
5. Homemade BBQ Sauce
6. Tzatziki Sauce

Conclusion

How I love the versatility of sauces for pasta dishes, pizza, or dips! They’re the perfect way to elevate your meal and get creative in the kitchen. What creative methods did you find to serve your roasted red pepper sauce? Let me know in the comments!

Watch How to Make It

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