Roasted Red Pepper Pasta

Blog by Callie Birtles, RHN in The Clear Skin Solution + Recipe by Paige Fursman, KSW Inc

Busy weeknights call for easy, delicious meals that don’t sacrifice nutrition—and when it comes to supporting clear skin, this Roasted Red Pepper Pasta ticks all the boxes. 

• Gluten-free 
• Dairy-free
• Whole-food ingredients
• Nourishing
• Tasty!  

Best of all, it’s loaded with skin-loving nutrients that help tackle inflammation, balance blood sugar, and support digestion—all key areas we focus on with our clients in The Clear Skin Solution. 

Why We Love This Recipe

Perfect for busy nights: This pasta dish comes together quickly and makes for great leftovers, saving you time while nourishing your skin.

Creamy and dairy-free: The cashews and nutritional yeast give you that creamy, cheesy taste without any dairy, helping you avoid inflammatory foods that can trigger breakouts.

Loaded with skin-nourishing ingredients: From antioxidant-rich red peppers to fibre-packed chickpea pasta, this recipe is a powerhouse for your skin health.

Superstar Ingredients

Red Peppers

Bursting with vitamin C, red peppers are incredible for boosting collagen production, which helps keep your skin firm and smooth. They’re also packed with antioxidants that reduce inflammation—a major cause of acne flare-ups.

Cashews

Cashews provide the creamy texture without the dairy while delivering healthy fats that support hormone balance. They’re also rich in zinc, which is essential for keeping acne-causing bacteria at bay.

Chickpea Pasta

This gluten-free pasta is a great source of plant-based protein and fibre, helping to keep your blood sugar stable. Stable blood sugar means fewer hormonal fluctuations, which can help prevent acne.

Nutritional Yeast

Adds a cheesy flavour without the dairy. Nutritional yeast is also rich in B vitamins which are essential for energy production, brain function, liver detoxification, and skin.

How This Recipe Supports Your Skin

By combining these powerhouse ingredients, this recipe offers a comprehensive approach to fighting acne on multiple fronts. First, it helps reduce inflammation—a major culprit in acne breakouts—thanks to ingredients like red peppers, garlic, and cashews, which have natural anti-inflammatory properties. It also helps balance blood sugar levels, a critical factor for acne prevention. Chickpea pasta and cashews work together to maintain stable blood sugar, preventing spikes that can lead to hormonal fluctuations and breakouts.

Additionally, this recipe supports gut health by providing fibre-rich ingredients that nourish your gut microbiome. A healthy gut is essential for detoxification and plays a significant role in achieving clear skin. The inclusion of cashews and nutritional yeast also promotes hormone balance. Zinc from the cashews and B vitamins from the yeast help regulate hormones, reducing the likelihood of hormonal acne flare-ups. 

Next time you’re craving creamy, comforting pasta, skip the dairy and opt for this skin-friendly dish. Not only will you be treating your taste buds, but your skin will thank you too!

Roasted Red Pepper Pasta

This Roasted Red Pepper is perfect for busy weeknights for an easy, nutritious meal, to support clear skin.

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Ingredients

• 2-3 red peppers (roughly chopped)
• 1 red onion (roughly chopped)
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• 3 large garlic cloves (whole)
• 1 tbsp avocado oil
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4-1/2 tsp red chili flakes (optional)
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
• 2/3 cup cashews (soaked and drained - see notes)
• 1/4 cup non-dairy milk (plus more if needed)
• 3-4 fresh basil leaves (for garnish)
• 1 package gluten-free pasta (brown rice or chickpea based for extra protein)

Instructions

• Prepare Cashews: Pre-soak the cashews in water for at least 2 hours. Drain before using.
• Prepare Ingredients: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roughly chop the red peppers and red onion.
• Roast Vegetables: Place the chopped red peppers, red onion, cherry tomatoes, and whole garlic cloves on the baking sheet. Drizzle with avocado oil and sprinkle with salt, red chili flakes (if using), garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Toss to coat.
• Bake: Roast the vegetables in the oven for 20 minutes or until they are soft and slightly caramelized.
• Blend the Sauce: In a blender, combine the soaked cashews, tomato paste, and nutritional yeast. Add the roasted vegetables and blend until smooth.
• Adjust Consistency: Gradually add non-dairy milk to the blender, blending until you reach your desired sauce consistency. Adjust seasoning as needed.
• Serve: Toss the sauce with your favorite pasta, garnish with fresh basil leaves, and enjoy!

Notes

Note: For a smooth, creamy sauce, soak cashews in water for at least 2 hours. If you're short on time, quick-soak them by covering with boiling water and letting them sit for 15–20 minutes while the veggies are roasting. Drain before using.