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Pink Sauce Pasta

 

This simple yet luxurious dish comes together with just a handful of pantry staples.

Ingredients

For the pasta:

  • 12 oz penne pasta (or your favorite shape)
  • 1 tablespoon salt (for boiling water)

For the pink sauce:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
  • 1 cup tomato sauce (or crushed tomatoes)
  • ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter version)
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • ½ cup pasta water (to adjust the sauce)

For garnish (optional):

  • Extra Parmesan cheese
  • Fresh basil or parsley
  • Cracked black pepper

Instructions

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Cook the Pasta

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  • Cook the pasta until al dente, according to the package instructions.
  • Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.

2. Sauté the Garlic & Red Pepper Flakes

  • In a large skillet, heat olive oil or butter over medium heat.
  • Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.

3. Add the Tomato Base

  • Stir in tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
  • Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly.

4. Make it Creamy

  • Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream.
  • Mix well until the sauce turns into a beautiful pink hue.

5. Add Pasta & Cheese

  • Add the cooked pasta to the sauce, tossing until fully coated.
  • Stir in Parmesan cheese and ½ cup of reserved pasta water, adjusting for the perfect creamy consistency.

6. Garnish & Serve

  • Remove from heat and garnish with extra Parmesan, fresh basil, or cracked black pepper.
  • Serve immediately and enjoy the rich, creamy goodness!

Notes

Pro Tips for the Best Pink Sauce Pasta

🔥 Use fresh garlic – It gives the sauce a deep, rich flavor.

🍅 Choose quality tomato sauce – A good-quality canned tomato sauce or San Marzano tomatoes makes a difference.

🌿 Don’t skip the pasta water – It helps loosen the sauce while keeping it creamy.

  • Author: niold.com