Creamy Red Pepper Pasta
If you love easy meals made with Trader Joe’s pantry staples, this Trader Joe’s Creamy Seafood Red Pepper Pasta is a recipe you’ll want to keep on repeat. Using a few convenient ingredients like Trader Joe’s jarred red pepper pasta sauce and their canned seafood, you can create a rich and comforting pasta that tastes surprisingly restaurant-worthy.
15 min recipe
Trader Joe’s jarred red pepper and almond pesto sauce creates a rich base while heavy cream adds smoothness and body. Canned calamari and mussels bring delicious ocean flavor without the hassle of preparing fresh seafood. Everything comes together in one pan, making this an easy weeknight dinner that still feels special.
Substitutions & Variations
Seafood -You can substitute for shrimp, canned clams, crab, or scallops. If you don’t want to use seafood, use canned chicken/regular chicken or tuna.
Half & Half - heavy cream, whole milk and butter, cashew cream
Spinach- Kale, argula, or any leafy greens or take out completely
Storage & Reheating
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating- Reheat gently on the stove over medium-low heat. Add a splash of water or half and half to loosen the sauce. Can microwave with a wet paper towel on top for 2-3 mins or add a splash of water and mix then mircrowave.
Freezing: Cream-based pasta sauces generally do not freeze well because the sauce may separate.
Ingredients
Red Pepper and Almond Pesto Sauce -This creates a rich base for the dish and provides a sweet, slightly smoky flavor that pairs beautifully with seafood.
Half & Half -Cream adds body and smoothness to the sauce, balancing the acidity from the tomatoes.
Pasta Water -The starch in pasta water helps emulsify the sauce so it clings to the noodles instead of separating.
Canned Calamari and Mussels - These canned seafood ingredients add briny, savory flavor and make the dish quick and convenient without sacrificing taste.
Cherry Tomatoes -Fresh tomatoes brighten the dish and add a subtle sweetness.
Spinach - Spinach adds freshness, color, and nutrients while balancing the richness of the sauce.
Lemon Zest -Lemon zest adds a fresh citrus aroma that enhances the seafood flavors.
Ingredients:
8 oz dry pasta
1 Trader Joe’s Red Pepper and Almond Pesto sauce (9.9 oz)
½ cup half & half cream
½ cup reserved pasta water (you’ll adjust with this)
1 cup cherry tomatoes
2-3 handfuls fresh spinach
1 Trader Joe’s canned calamari, drained well
1 Trader Joe’s canned mussels, use oil for the beginning
5 cloves garlic, sliced
optional- ½ tbsp olive oil if the canned mussels EVOO is not enough
¼ tsp black pepper
optional- ½ tsp chili flakes
optional- salt if needed to taste
½ lemon
optional- fresh basil as garnish and/or freshly grated parmesan
Directions:
Boil pasta in a large pot of well-salted water until al dente (about 1 minute less than package instructions). Reserve ½–¾ cup pasta water, then drain.
Drain extra virgin olive oil from canned mussels and over medium heat, sauté garlic and tomatoes for about 3-5 mins until tomatoes are softened.
Add chili flakes (if using) and cook for about 1 min.
Pour in the red pepper and almond pesto sauce, pasta water, and half & half. Let it simmer gently for 3–4 minutes until creamy.
Lower heat to medium-low and gently fold in the drained calamari and mussels. Warm for 1–2 minutes only.
Add the drained pasta directly into the skillet and toss well so it finishes cooking in the sauce. Add another splash of pasta water if needed.
Turn off the heat and fold in spinach until cooked.
Squeeze lemon juice and taste test.
Adjust salt and black pepper if needed.
Optional- garnish with fresh basil and parmesan cheese
