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Creamy Pink Sauce Pasta

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This Pink Sauce Pasta is creamy, tangy, and absolutely delicious! With a rich balance of tomato and cream, it creates a velvety sauce that coats the pasta perfectly. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s an easy, restaurant-quality dish

Ingredients

Scale

  1. For the Pasta:

    • 12 oz pasta (penne, fettuccine, or rigatoni)
    • 1 tsp salt (for boiling water)

    For the Pink Sauce:

    1. 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
    2. 1/2 small onion, finely chopped
    3. 3 cloves garlic, minced
    4. 1 cup tomato sauce (or crushed tomatoes)
    5. 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for a kick)
    6. 1/2 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
    7. 1/2 tsp black pepper
    8. 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
    9. 1/2 cup heavy cream (or half & half for a lighter version)
    10. 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
    11. 1/4 cup pasta water (if needed for thinning)
    12. 1 tbsp butter (for extra creaminess)
    13. Fresh basil or parsley for garnish

Instructions

  • Cook the Pasta
    • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta until al dente.
    • Reserve 1/4 cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
  • Sauté the Aromatics
    • In a large skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil or butter.
    • Add chopped onion and cook until soft (about 3-4 minutes).
    • Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  • Make the Pink Sauce
    • Pour in tomato sauce, red pepper flakes, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning.
    • Let simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Add the Cream & Cheese
    • Reduce heat to low and stir in heavy cream.
    • Mix in grated Parmesan cheese, allowing it to melt into the sauce.
    • Add butter for extra richness and stir until smooth.
    • If the sauce is too thick, add a little reserved pasta water to loosen it.
  • Combine & Serve
    • Toss the cooked pasta into the sauce, stirring well to coat.
    • Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and extra Parmesan.
  • Enjoy!
    • Serve immediately with garlic bread or a side salad.

Notes

  • For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half.
  • If you like a little heat, increase the red pepper flakes or add a dash of cayenne pepper.
  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese will give the sauce a richer flavor compared to pre-grated versions.
  • The pink sauce can also be used as a base for other pasta dishes, or as a dipping sauce.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://grandmarecipesflash.com/creamy-pink-sauce-pasta/