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Ultimate Creamy & Easy Weeknight Pink Sauce Pasta (Rose Sauce)

Close-up of penne pasta coated in creamy pink sauce pasta, garnished with fresh basil.
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Make this rich and velvety pink sauce pasta, a simple blend of tomato and cream, perfect for a quick, comforting weeknight dinner. This recipe uses accessible ingredients for a restaurant-quality taste at home.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound pasta (penne, rigatoni, or your choice)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
  • 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce or marinara
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil for garnish

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes.
  3. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Do not let the garlic burn.
  4. Pour in the tomato sauce or marinara. Stir in the dried oregano and red pepper flakes, if using. Let the sauce simmer for 5 minutes.
  5. Reduce the heat to low. Slowly pour in the heavy cream while stirring constantly to prevent separation. Stir until the sauce is fully combined and turns a light pink color.
  6. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth. Season with salt and pepper to your taste.
  7. Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat everything evenly. If the sauce seems too thick, add reserved pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
  8. Serve immediately. Top each serving with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh basil.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, substitute half of the heavy cream with cream cheese, softened.
  • You can add cooked protein like shredded chicken or Italian sausage to make this a heartier meal.
  • This sauce pairs well with any pasta shape; use a shape with ridges to hold the sauce best.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://tastethisplate.com/pink-sauce-pasta-creamy-easy-recipe/