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TexMex Roasted Red Pepper Pasta

This TexMex Roasted Red Pepper Pasta is smothered in a creamy roasted red pepper sauce spiked with fiestalicious spices and bursting with chipotle chicken, spinach and black beans!
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 4 -6

Ingredients

Pasta

  • 8 oz. pasta of choice

Chicken

Roasted Red Pepper Pasta Sauce

  • 2 large red bell peppers , seeds and membranes removed, cut in half
  • 1 small white onion, peeled and quartered
  • 4 garlic cloves, peeled
  • 1 tablespoon flour
  • 1 14.5 oz. low sodium chicken broth
  • 1/2 tsp EACH salt, chipotle chili powder
  • 1/4 tsp EACH cumin, smoked paprika, pepper
  • 8 oz. cream cheese, cubed and softned
  • 3/4 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 cup packed fresh spinach, chopped

Garnish

  • cilantro (optional)

Instructions

  • If using chipotle chicken, season with the wet rub and set aside.
  • Roast red peppers by placing the halves, skin side up, on a lined (foil/ parchment paper) baking sheet and press them flat with your hand. Broil on the top oven rack for 10-minutes, or until the skins are mostly black. (You may need to rotate your peppers half way through to char evenly.) Once peppers are blackened, place them in a paper bag or freezer bag, and close tightly, allowing them to steam while you prepare the chicken or for at least 10 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, begin cooking pasta according to package directions in generously salted water and cook the chicken.
  • Heat large skillet over medium high heat. Once very hot, add chicken and cook, undisturbed for 3-5 minutes, or until nicely blackened on one side. Turn chicken over, cover, and reduce heat to medium. Cook for approximately 5-8 more minutes (depending on thickness of chicken), or until chicken is cooked through. Remove to a cutting board and let rest 3-5 minutes before slicing.
  • After peppers have been steaming at least 10 minutes, peel the outer charred skin off with your hands – it will slip right off. Add bell peppers, onion and garlic to a food processor/blender and pulse until smooth.
  • Add red pepper puree to the same skillet your chicken was cooked in (there should still be some oil left – if not heat 1 tablespoon olive oil) and saute for 5 minutes over medium heat. Stir in 1 tablespoon flour and cook an additional minute. Whisk in chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Add spices listed under "Roasted Red Pepper Pasta Sauce." Simmer until sauce is slightly thickened, 3-5 minutes. Stir in cream cheese until smooth. Add black beans and cook until heated through, then stir in spinach.
  • Add pasta to the sauce and stir until well combined. Top individual servings of pasta with chicken and cilantro.

Notes

TO PREP AHEAD:

  • Pasta: Cook the pasta al dente, drain with cool water and toss with a drizzle of oil to prevent it from sticking together.  Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to use.
  • Bell peppers: Roast, peel and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
  • Sauce: Go one step further and blend the bell peppers and all of the sauce ingredients and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

HOW TO STORE AND REHEAT

  • To store: Store the pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. 
  • To freeze:  Let the pasta cool to room temperature then transfer to a freezer safe, airtight container. Label and freeze for up to 3 months. Allow to thaw completely in the refrigerator overnight before reheating per instructions.
  • To reheat in the microwave: Microwave small portions for 1 minute, stir, then continue to heat at 30-second intervals until warmed through.
  • To reheat on the stove: For larger portions, reheat pasta gently on the stove, stirring occasionally. You may need to add a splash of milk to make it ultra creamy again.