Creamy Red Pepper Pasta Skillet

This Creamy Red Pepper Pasta Skillet is so easy and perfect for a quick weeknight meal.  A jar of roasted red peppers brings a great depth of flavor and the cream cheese balances the flavor and gives it a creamy texture. Oh – and this recipe earns extra credit for being made in one skillet! (Woohooo for few dishes!!) 😉

This one pot Creamy Red Pepper Pasta Skillet is perfect for a quick weeknight meal. From a simple jar of roasted red peppers and a block of cream cheese to ground beef and noodles, you won’t believe the depth of flavor and creamy texture this simple recipe offers! 

What I Love About this Recipe

• One pot and easy cleanup- because who doesn’t love few dishes! You don’t even have to boil the noodles separately. 
• Kids love it– Yes, really! You’d be surprised, but my kids love this pasta- just don’t let the red pepper scare them away! 😉
• Quick!  This recipe is on the table in 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights, and most ingredients you probably already have on hand! 
• Delicious. Seriously, this is a personal blog favorite. It is SO good… creamy, flavorful, with an (optional) touch of heat, and a rich roasted flavor on top of all the other bonuses! 

If you love one pot recipes and are looking for the right skillet, check out some of my favorite skillets! 

Ingredients Needed

• Ground Beef – Any ratio of fat to lean will do! I like this recipe with ground sausage, too, but you can also use ground turkey or chicken if you don’t have either of those on hand. 
• Water 
• Tomato Sauce – Use a can from the store or a jar of homemade if you’ve got it. 
• Roasted Red Peppers – These can be found in most grocery stores near the olives. I like to use Mezzetta Roasted Red Bell Pepper Strips. 
• Sugar
• Spices – Onion salt, dried basil, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes (optional but adds a nice touch of heat). 
• Pasta – I prefer bowtie (Farfalle), but any short pasta shape, like penne, rigatoni, rotini, or cellentani, will work. 
• Cream Cheese – Use regular or full-fat cream cheese for the best creamy texture, but low-fat cream cheese (aka Neufchatel) will work, too. 

How to Make Creamy Red Pepper Pasta Skillet

To start, brown the beef in a large skillet and then drain off the excess grease.

Add the water, tomato sauce, peppers, sugar, and seasoning to the beef and bring the mixture to a boil.

Next, dump in the pasta, give it a stir, and bring it back to a boil. 

Then, cover the skillet, reduce the heat to medium, and stir occasionally while cooking.

After 14 minutes, stir in the cream cheese until creamy and no cream cheese clumps are left. 

Enjoy warm and pair this delicious pasta with a crisp green lettuce salad and/or fresh fruit and some bread like garlic bread or No-Knead Artisan Bread!

Storing Instructions

Store any leftovers in the fridge. It will keep for up to 5 days in a sealed, airtight container. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Other One Pot Meals You’ll Love

• One Pot Chicken Pesto Pasta
• One Pot Enchilada Pasta
• One Pot Million Dollar Spaghetti
• White Chicken Enchilada Pasta
• One Pot Mexican Beef & Rice
• One Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta 
• See my round-up of 26 easy one pot recipes for more!!