Pasta with Easy Romesco Sauce

That sauce... it has ALL the flavor. Roasted red peppers, tomatoes, almonds, parsley, and garlic - pureed together until smooth and thick. The rich sauce is smoky, nutty, sharp, and divine. Nestle hot cooked noodles on top and dinner is ready in less than 30 minutes.

No joke - this sauce screams out with flavor. Romesco is a Spanish sauce that typically consists of charred tomatoes and roasted red peppers - puréed together and thickened with almonds and bread. The flavors in the sauce are further sharpened with garlic, vinegar and red pepper flakes. The sauce is fresh, smoky and pungent, and often served with vegetables and fish. But I can tell you this, Romesco is equally welcome on toast.

I like to serve my Romesco hot OR cold, with bread, chicken, vegetables, potatoes, eggs, and (in this case) pasta. I also sprinkle the red pepper flakes over top (instead of pureeing them into the sauce). That way you can adjust the heat for every member of the family.

Also, in this version, I leave out the bread as a thickener. I don't think it's needed, and I find the flavors shine through more vibrantly without it.

Pasta with Easy Romesco Sauce 
Note: If you have the time, let the sauce stand for about hour at room temperature; this allows those incredible flavors to meld. 

1 pound pasta of choice (I used tagliatelle)
1 cup jarred roasted red peppers
15-ounce can crushed tomatoes
1/2 cup raw almonds
1/4 cup fresh Italian parsley leaves
2 cloves garlic, peeled
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Crushed red pepper flakes

Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain and cover with foil to keep warm. Meanwhile, in a blender, combine the red peppers, tomatoes, almonds, parsley, garlic, olive oil, and vinegar. Puree until the mixture is smooth and thick. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Spoon the sauce into the bottom of shallow serving bowls. Arrange the pasta over the sauce and sprinkle the pasta with crushed red pepper flakes.
Serves 4