BasicsEasyPastaRecipes

Roasted Veggie Cream Cheese Pasta (Weeknight Blender Sauce)

20 min Cook
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  • A creamy, veggie-packed pasta sauce made in the blender that turns simple roasted ingredients into a weeknight dinner win.

When I made this recipe, I just had to share it with you. It’s hands-down my favorite one so far.

Now listen… every now and then, I get a craving for hamburger helper. And before anybody gets judgmental—don’t. It’s cheap, it’s quick, it’s nostalgic, and sometimes you just need dinner to handle itself for a night.

But I also wanted something that hits that same creamy, noodly comfort… without relying on a box and a prayer.

This recipe does exactly that.

We’re taking real ingredients—roasted onions, red pepper, garlic, and tomatoes—and blending them into a sauce that’s rich, silky, and honestly way more flavorful than it has any business being. A little cream cheese brings it all together, and suddenly you’ve got something that tastes like comfort food but didn’t come with a chemistry set.

It may not look like much, but trust me—this one’s a 10/10.

Roasted Veggie Cream Cheese Pasta (Weeknight Blender Sauce)

jenniferbde2f1db01
A fast, flavorful pasta dish made with roasted vegetables blended into a creamy, veggie-forward sauce—perfect for busy weeknights and flexible enough for any protein add-in.
prep time
10 min
cooking time
20 min
servings
4
total time
30 min

Equipment

  • Large pot (for pasta)

  • Baking dish or sheet pan

  • Blender or food processor

  • Knife (rough chopping only—nothing fancy)

  • Cutting board

  • Colander

Ingredients

  • 12 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or whatever you’ve got)

  • 1 red bell pepper, roughly chopped

  • 1 red onion, roughly chopped

  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes

  • 1 head garlic

  • 2–3 tbsp olive oil

  • 4 oz cream cheese (about half a block)

  • 1/4–1/2 cup reserved pasta water (or water or broth)

  • fresh basil

  • Salt and pepper to taste

  • grated parmesan (or other cheese)

  • Optional Add-Ins

  • 12 oz pre-cooked smoked sausage (like Conecuh sausage), sliced

  • Crushed red pepper flakes (for heat)

Instructions

1

Preheat oven

Preheat oven to 425°F.
2

Start your pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
3

Roast the veggies:

In a baking dish or on a sheet pan, combine: Red bell pepper Red onion Cherry tomatoes Whole garlic cloves (skins on) Drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and toss. Roast for 15–20 minutes, until soft and slightly charred.
4

Blend the sauce:

Squeeze roasted garlic out of skins Add all roasted veggies to a blender Add cream cheese and fresh herbs Pour in 1/4 cup pasta water to start Blend until smooth, adding more pasta water as needed until it reaches a creamy sauce consistency. And listen, if you forget to reserve the pasta water, you can always add water or chicken broth, or other liquid. Not a big deal.
5

Optional protein:

If using sausage or another protein, slice and heat separately
6

Combine

Return drained pasta to the pot. Pour sauce over pasta and stir to coat evenly.
7

Finish & serve:

Taste and adjust seasoning. Top with parmesan and optional red pepper flakes.

Notes

  • Low-prep friendly: Rough chop everything—this is going in the blender, not a magazine photoshoot.
  • Garlic hack: Roast garlic cloves whole, then squeeze them out after roasting = instant mellow flavor.
  • Make it dairy-light: Use less cream cheese or swap for a dairy-free alternative.
  • Protein options: Smoked sausage, rotisserie chicken, ground turkey, or white beans all work great.
  • Veggie swaps: Zucchini, carrots, or spinach can be added or substituted based on what’s hanging out in your fridge judging you.
  • Side ideas: Garlic bread, simple green beans, or a crisp side salad.
  • Teaching moment: This is a perfect intro to blended veggie sauces—once you get it, you can riff endlessly.
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