Description
This Pink Sauce Pasta is a creamy and flavorful Italian-American dish featuring a luscious pink tomato sauce made with tomato sauce, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese. Tossed with perfectly cooked pasta and infused with garlic, onion, and Italian seasoning, it’s a comforting and easy-to-make meal perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces pasta (penne or fettuccine)
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried basil or Italian seasoning
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- Chopped fresh basil or parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, drain the pasta, and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and finely chopped onion and sauté for 3–4 minutes until they become softened and fragrant.
- Add Seasonings and Tomato Sauce: Stir in red pepper flakes if using, then add tomato sauce (or crushed tomatoes), salt, black pepper, and dried basil or Italian seasoning. Let the mixture simmer gently for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally to develop the flavors.
- Create Pink Sauce: Reduce the heat to low and slowly stir in the heavy cream, mixing thoroughly until the sauce develops a creamy pink hue.
- Add Cheese: Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until it melts fully into the sauce, creating a smooth consistency. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time to loosen it to your desired consistency.
- Toss Pasta in Sauce: Add the drained pasta into the skillet and toss well to coat all the pasta evenly with the sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle with chopped fresh basil or parsley if desired, and serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- Add grilled chicken or sautéed shrimp to the pasta for extra protein.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half.
- This pink sauce also works wonderfully with filled pastas like ravioli or tortellini.
