Red Pepper Pesto & Penne Recipe Gelson's

Ingredients

• 1 ½ red bell peppers, stemmed, seeded, and cut into ¼-inch strips, divided
• 1 ½ Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 1 ¾ tsp kosher salt, plus more to taste
• ½ small onion, chopped
• 1 plum tomato, seeded and chopped
• ¼ cup basil, chopped
• ¼ to ½ tsp red pepper flakes
• ½ tsp garlic, minced to paste, divided
• ¼ cup ricotta cheese
• 2 Tbsp Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for serving
• ⅛ tsp black pepper, plus more to taste
• ½ tsp white wine vinegar
• 8 oz penne