This ultra-delicious Pink Sauce Pasta recipe features penne pasta cooked al dente and tossed in a flavorful pink sauce. The dish is garnished with fresh basil and grated parmesan cheese for an extra touch of deliciousness.
You can’t go wrong with a hearty pasta dish that is going to fill you right up! But you need some sides to go with it to make the meal complete. Cook up with pink sauce pasta alongside some yummy 1-Hour Rolls, this easy Wedge Salad and some yummy Grilled Asparagus to bring it all together.
What is Pink Sauce Pasta?
Pasta is a staple at our house, and I am always looking for new ways to make it! This pink sauce pasta is so delicious, and it definitely needs to make its way onto your weekly meal planning menu! Packed with flavor from garlic, shallots, and different cheeses, this pasta will become a family favorite.
The pink sauce gets its name from the pink color. It turns pink because it’s a blend of tomato sauce and heavy cream. The results are delightful, and as simple as this sounds, the results are so yummy. I like to serve this over penne pasta, but you can use whatever pasta you have on hand!
Ingredients in Pink Sauce Pasta
This pasta is filled with a lot of different seasonings and flavors and makes the taste deep and delicious. Check out the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all of the exact ingredient measurements.
- Penne pasta: The shape of this pasta is perfect for holding and absorbing the sauce.
- Olive oil: This adds a rich, fruity flavor to the dish.
- Shallot: These small onions have a milder and sweeter flavor compared to regular onions.
- Garlic: If you don’t have garlic cloves on hand, you can use minced garlic. ½ teaspoon equals about one clove of garlic.
- Diced tomatoes: These add a slightly sweet tomato flavor to the sauce. This is one of the ingredients that make the sauce pink!
- Tomato sauce: The tomato sauce adds a tomato taste to the sauce and helps thicken it.
- Oregano and basil: These herbs add some earth and sweet and fresh flavors to the pasta.
- Chili flakes: Chili flakes add a hint of spice and heat to the sauce and a kick to the overall flavor profile.
- Salt and pepper: These enhance the dish’s flavors and bring a balanced taste to the sauce.
- Heavy cream: The cream adds a creamy and velvety texture to the sauce. It contributes to the signature pink color of the pink sauce pasta.
- Parmesan and Mozzarella cheese: You can’t skip out on the cheese!
- Fresh basil: This add a burst of freshness and complement the other flavors in the dish.
Let’s Make Pasta!
This pink sauce pasta dish is a no-brainer for dinner because it takes less than 30 minutes to make! Add everything in together, let it simmer, and don’t forget to top it with some fresh basil before serving!
- Cook the pasta: Cook your pasta according to the box instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, pour your olive oil and sauté your shallot for about 5 minutes.
- Add sauce ingredients: Add garlic and saute for another 1-2 minutes. Add your diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and spices to the pan, lower the heat to medium and bring to a simmer.
- Simmer: Once your sauce is simmering, add in your heavy cream, parmesan, and mozzarella cheeses. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring constantly.
- Add pasta: Add your pasta to the sauce and stir until all the noodles are covered in sauce.
- Garnish: Remove from heat and serve the pink sauce pasta with fresh basil and grated parmesan cheese.
Pink Sauce vs. Vodka Sauce
If you’re familiar with vodka sauce, you might wonder how it differs from pink sauce. Both sauces are similar, but vodka sauce uses vodka to enhance the tomatoes with a tangy flavor and caramelization. Pink sauce, on the other hand, achieves a similar creamy blend of tomatoes and heavy cream without the addition of vodka, resulting in a distinct taste that sets it apart. Although they share a similar appearance, their flavors are what sets them apart.
How to Store Leftovers
To store leftovers of this pink sauce pasta recipe, wait until it has cooled down to room temperature. Transfer the pasta and sauce into an airtight container and place it in the fridge. It will last about 3-4 days. When you are ready to eat the leftovers, you can reheat them on the stove or in the microwave.
**When reheating the leftovers, you might need to add a splash of water or a little more sauce to prevent the pasta from drying out.*
Make it a Meal!
Bread
Homemade French Bread
Salads
Copycat Olive Garden Salad
Side Dishes
Creamy Parmesan Garlic Brussels Sprouts Recipe
Dressings, Sauces, and Dips
Olive Oil Bread Dip
Pink Sauce Pasta
Ingredients
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large shallot minced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes
- ⅔ cup tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon basil
- ½ teaspoon chili flakes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup mozzarella cheese
- Fresh basil and parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
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Cook your pasta according to the box instructions. Drain and set aside.
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Pour your olive oil into a large skillet over medium-high heat and saute your shallot for about 5 minutes.
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Add in your garlic and saute for another 1-2 minutes. Add your diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and spices to the pan, lower the heat to medium and bring to a simmer.
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Once your sauce is simmering, add in your heavy cream, parmesan, and mozzarella cheeses. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring constantly.
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Add your pasta to the sauce and stir until all the noodles are covered in sauce.
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Remove from heat and serve with fresh basil and grated parmesan cheese.
