This is my favourite simple and delicious creamy pink sauce pasta recipe to make on a bust weeknight! If you’re looking for a quick and easy pasta dish for your next pasta night, you’ve come to the right place. This simple recipe features a delightful combination of two classic pasta sauces: marinara sauce and cream sauce, resulting in a beautiful and flavorful pink pasta sauce.
With simple ingredients that can easily be found at your local grocery store, this easy pink sauce pasta is a great option for those who want to switch things up from traditional tomato-based red sauce. Whether you’re a fan of creamy sauces or tangy marinara, this pink sauce recipe offers the best of both worlds.
So why not give our creamy pink sauce pasta recipe a try? Find the recipe card below.
Why you’ll love this Italian pink sauce pasta recipe
First of all, who doesn’t love creamy tomato sauce? It’s the perfect balance of tangy tomatoes and rich creaminess. But the best part of this pink sauce recipe is how easy it is to make. With just a handful of ingredients, you can have a delicious and impressive meal on the table in no time. All you need is some tomato passata or crushed tomatoes, cream and garlic.
Suggested Recipe: Easy Blue Cheese Pasta Sauce
Now, let’s talk about the pasta. While this pink sauce would be delicious with all types of pasta shapes, there’s something about penne pasta that just works so well with a creamy sauce. The shape of the pasta allows the sauce to really cling to it, making every bite a delicious mouthful. Alternatively, you could use elbow macaroni for a more classic pink sauce experience.
And what’s a pasta dinner without garlic bread? It’s the perfect accompaniment to this creamy sauce and will make your meal feel extra special. You could also whip up a simple salad to add some freshness to the meal.
Now, if you’re a fan of creamy pasta recipes, you already know that white sauce and Alfredo sauce are some of your favourite things. But this pink sauce recipe offers a unique twist on the classic white sauce, giving you a new favourite to add to your repertoire.
Overall, this pink pasta sauce recipe is perfect for a busy weeknight when you want something delicious but don’t have a lot of time to spend in the kitchen. It’s one of the best easy pasta recipes out there and is sure to become a staple in your recipe collection.
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp of unsalted butter
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1 yellow onion, you can also use a red onion
- 2 tbsp of tomato paste
- 1 1/3 cups of crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup of heavy cream or whole milk, you can also add more according to your taste
- 1/4 cup of chicken broth or white wine
- 1 tbsp of honey
- 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese
- salt and black pepper, to taste
- parmesan cheese, for garnish
Directions: How do I make Pink Pasta Sauce?
step 1
start by cooking your pasta in a large pot according to package instructions to pasta al dente. Make sure it’s salted water.
Note: reserve a little pasta water before straining.
step 2
In a large skillet, add the butter to medium heat. You can also use olive oil if you prefer.
step 3
Add the diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes. Then add the minced garlic and good for another 5 minutes on medium-low heat until the onions are garlic are soft and fragrant.
step 4
Then, add in the tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, heavy cream, chicken broth or white wine and honey. Mix with a wooden spoon to get all of the ingredients well combined.
step 5
Simmer on low until it starts to thicken, then toss in the cooked pasta. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of pasta water until you achieve the perfect consistency. Serve immediately.
Suggested Recipe: One Pot Spicy Sausage Pasta
Expert Tips
Here are some expert tips to make the most delicious pink pasta sauce recipe possible:
- Start with a good base: Use a blend of tomatoes for your pink sauce, such as crushed canned tomatoes and tomato passata, to give your sauce a rich and complex flavour.
- Incorporate some spice: If you like a little heat and spicy pasta, add some red pepper flakes or chili flakes to your pink sauce. You can also use onion powder or Italian seasoning to give it an extra kick.
- Make it extra creamy: Instead of using heavy cream, try using coconut milk in your pink sauce recipe for a dairy-free option that is just as creamy and delicious.
- Don’t forget the garlic: Fresh garlic is a key ingredient in any pink sauce recipe. Use a generous amount of garlic for maximum flavour.
- Add some liquid: A splash of water or chicken broth can help thin out your pink sauce and make it more saucy.
- Experiment with wine: If you want to add a little something extra to your pink sauce, try using a splash of rosé wine. It will give your sauce a lovely pink hue and a subtle fruity flavour.
- Top it off with fresh herbs: Fresh basil leaves are a classic choice for topping off any pasta dish. Sprinkle some on top of your pink sauce pasta bake for a burst of fresh flavor.
- Try a rosé sauce: For a unique twist on the classic pink sauce, add a little lemon juice to your recipe to create a rosé sauce. It’s a light and refreshing option that is perfect for summertime meals.
With these expert tips, you’ll be able to make the most delicious and flavorful pink pasta sauce possible!
Storeage & Reheating
After making a delicious rose pasta sauce recipe, you may find yourself with leftovers that you want to store and reheat for future meals. Here are some tips on how to properly store and reheat your pink pasta sauce:
Suggested Recipe: Homemade Marinara Sauce
- Storage: Allow the pink pasta sauce to cool down to room temperature before storing it. Then, transfer it to an airtight container and place it in the refrigerator. Pink pasta sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: If you have more pink pasta sauce than you can eat in a few days, you can also freeze it. To freeze the sauce, let it cool to room temperature and then transfer it to an airtight container. You can freeze the sauce for up to 2-3 months.
- Reheating: When you’re ready to reheat the pink pasta sauce, take it out of the refrigerator or freezer and allow it to come to room temperature. You can then reheat it on the stove over low heat, stirring frequently, until it is heated through. You can also reheat it in the microwave on high heat, stirring every 30 seconds until it is heated through.
- Thinning the Sauce: As the sauce sits, it may thicken. To thin the sauce, add a splash of warm water or chicken broth and stir until the desired consistency is reached.
- Refreshing the Sauce: If the sauce has lost some of its flavors during storage, you can refresh it by adding some fresh garlic, herbs or a splash of lemon juice before reheating it.
By following these tips, you can ensure that your leftover pink pasta sauce stays fresh and delicious and that you can enjoy it again and again with minimal effort!
Easy Pink Sauce Pasta
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp of unsalted butter
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1 yellow onion, you can also use a red onion
- 2 tbsp of tomato paste
- 1 1/3 cups of crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup of heavy cream or whole milk, you can also add more according to your taste
- 1/4 cup of chicken broth or white wine
- 1 tbsp of honey
- 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese
- salt and black pepper, to taste
- parmesan cheese, for garnish
Instructions
- Start by cooking your pasta in a large pot according to package instructions to pasta al dente. Make sure it’s salted water.
- In a large skillet, add the butter to medium heat. You can also use olive oil if you prefer.
- Add the diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes. Then add the minced garlic and good for another 5 minutes on medium-low heat until the onions are garlic are soft and fragrant.
- Then, add in the tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, heavy cream, chicken broth or white wine and honey. Mix with a wooden spoon to get all of the ingredients well combined.
- Simmer on low until it starts to thicken, then toss in the cooked pasta. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of pasta water until you achieve the perfect consistency. Serve immediately.
Notes
For information on how to store and reheat this pasta, check the Storing & Reheating section of the blog post!
Christopher is a food and lifestyle expert, recipe developer and the content creator behind May Eighty Five. With over 6 years of creating recipes for your favourite food brands, he also shares tips, tricks and how to’s that he has learnt over the years. Every week, he shares quick, simple and mostly healthy recipes along with some home and entertaining tips. You will find flavorful cocktails, delicious appetizers, tasty mains and some indulgent desserts.