The Creamiest Pink Sauce Pasta Recipe You’ll Ever Taste

Creamy and vibrant, this pink sauce pasta bursts with unexpected flavors that dance across your palate.

Unexpected ingredients blend seamlessly in this pink sauce pasta recipe, creating a meal that surprises and delights.

The sauce carries a beautiful blush color that instantly makes your plate look appetizing.

Rich tomato cream mingles with subtle herbs and spices to create a luxurious coating for perfectly cooked pasta.

Each twirl of noodles promises a harmonious blend of tangy and smooth sensations.

Weeknight dinners transform into gourmet experiences with this simple yet elegant dish.

You’ll find yourself falling in love with every single bite of this restaurant-worthy pasta.

Pink Sauce Pasta Flavor Highlights

• This pasta dish comes together in minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you want something delicious without spending hours in the kitchen.
• The recipe offers flexibility with heat levels by adjusting chili flakes, allowing each cook to personalize the flavor profile to their taste preferences.
• Mild enough for kids but sophisticated enough for adults, this pink sauce pasta brings everyone together with its crowd-pleasing combination of creamy, tangy, and slightly spicy elements.
• Uses common ingredients most home cooks already have, eliminating the need for special shopping trips and making spontaneous meal preparation a breeze.

Ingredients List for Pink Sauce Pasta

• Pasta: A classic Italian staple that serves as the foundation of this creamy dish.

• Butter, Olive Oil: Create a rich and smooth base for the sauce.
• Onion, Garlic: Provide a deep, aromatic flavor foundation.
• Passata: A smooth tomato sauce that adds a vibrant red color and fresh tomato taste.
• Mozzarella: Brings a creamy, melty texture to the sauce.
• Cream, Milk: Contribute to the luxurious and silky consistency of the sauce.

• Basil, Chili Flakes, Salt, Pepper: Enhance the overall flavor profile with a balance of herbal, spicy, and savory notes.
• Sugar, Bouillon: Add depth and balance to the sauce's flavor.

Kitchen Tools to Make Pink Sauce Pasta Shine

• Large Skillet: Essential for sautéing onions and creating creamy sauce.
• Cutting Board: For chopping onions and garlic precisely.
• Sharp Knife: Helps mince garlic and onions finely.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Perfect for stirring sauce and mixing pasta.
• Colander: Needed to drain cooked pasta.
• Measuring Spoons: For accurate seasoning with salt, sugar, and chili flakes.
• Pot: Required for boiling pasta to al dente perfection.

Making Pink Sauce Pasta Step by Step

Step 1: Boil Pasta

Select your favorite pasta shape.

Fill a large pot with water and add a pinch of salt.

Bring water to a rolling boil.

Gently drop pasta into the bubbling water.

Cook until pasta reaches that perfect tender-yet-firm texture.

Drain pasta in a colander, keeping a small cup of starchy cooking water on the side for later.

Step 2: Craft Aromatic Base

Grab a spacious skillet.

Melt butter and swirl in olive oil over medium heat.

Toss in finely chopped onions and let them dance and soften, releasing their sweet fragrance.

After a few minutes, sprinkle minced garlic and let it sizzle briefly, creating a mouth-watering foundation for your sauce.

Step 3: Build Flavor Layers

• Passata
• Fresh basil leaves
• Bouillon
• Pinch of sugar
• Red chili flakes
• Salt
• Black pepper

Let the mixture simmer and bubble gently.

Slowly pour in cream, whole milk, and add chunks of creamy mozzarella.

Stir until the cheese melts and creates a silky, luxurious sauce.

Step 4: Marry Pasta and Sauce

Add cooked pasta directly into the skillet.

Gently toss and twirl until every strand is lavishly coated with the vibrant pink sauce.

If the sauce feels too thick, splash in some reserved pasta water to create a perfect consistency.

Serve hot and enjoy immediately.

Top Tips for Creamy Pink Pasta Results

• Reserve some starchy pasta water to help sauce cling perfectly to noodles and adjust consistency smoothly.
• Grate fresh mozzarella for creamier texture and ensure it melts evenly into the sauce without clumping.
• Toast chili flakes briefly in hot oil before adding to sauce to release deeper, more complex spicy notes.
• Cook onions slowly over medium-low heat to develop sweet, caramelized undertones without burning.
• Add cream off direct heat to prevent sauce from separating and maintain silky, rich consistency.

Creative Spins for Pink Sauce Pasta

• Dairy-Free Delight: Replace cream, milk, and mozzarella with coconut milk, nutritional yeast, and dairy-free cheese alternative for a vegan-friendly version.
• Protein Power: Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or plant-based protein like tofu cubes to make the pasta more substantial and nutritionally balanced.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free pasta made from rice, corn, or chickpea flour to accommodate gluten-sensitive diets while maintaining the sauce's rich flavor.
• Spicy Herb Blend: Swap basil with fresh cilantro or parsley, increase chili flakes, and add smoked paprika for a more intense and aromatic profile.

Serving Pink Sauce Pasta with Style

• Pasta Party Platter: Serve on a large shared platter with extra chili flakes sprinkled around the edges for a festive look.
• Cheese Lover's Dream: Top with additional shredded mozzarella and fresh basil leaves right before serving for extra flavor and visual appeal.
• Wine Pairing Perfection: Complement the creamy pink sauce with a crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or a light rosé to balance the richness.
• Fresh Side Companion: Pair with a simple green salad dressed in a light vinaigrette to cut through the sauce's creaminess and add freshness to the meal.

Pink Pasta Storage Solutions

• Store leftover pasta in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Cool completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Place pasta in microwave-safe dish, sprinkle few tablespoons of water or milk to prevent drying. Cover loosely and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until heated thoroughly.
• Pour pasta into skillet over medium-low heat. Add splash of milk or cream to restore sauce consistency. Stir gently and warm for 3-5 minutes until temperature is even.
• Transfer cooled pasta to freezer-safe container, seal tightly, and freeze for maximum 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating to maintain best texture and flavor.

FAQs

• What makes Pink Sauce Pasta different from other pasta sauces?

The unique combination of passata, cream, milk, and mozzarella creates a creamy, slightly tangy sauce with a beautiful pink color that sets it apart from traditional tomato or cream-based sauces.

• Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Yes, simply replace the bouillon with vegetable bouillon or a vegetable stock cube to maintain the depth of flavor while keeping the dish vegetarian-friendly.

• How spicy is this pasta dish?

The recipe uses chili flakes for a mild heat, but you can adjust the amount to your preference. For a milder version, use less chili flakes or omit them completely.

Pink Sauce Pasta Recipe

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4.6 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy pink sauce pasta blends Italian culinary traditions with rich, velvety flavors. Parmesan cheese and fresh herbs elevate this comforting dish you’ll savor with each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Base:

• 300 grams (10.6 ounces) pasta of choice (penne recommended)

Cheese:

• 1/3–1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Sauce Base:

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small red onion, minced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced

Liquid Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups tomato passata (or puree/sauce)
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup milk

Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 chicken bouillon cube, crumbled
• Pinch sugar
• Red chili flakes to taste
• Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Prepare pasta according to package directions until perfectly tender yet firm. Drain, preserving a small amount of starchy cooking liquid for later use.
2. In a spacious skillet, melt butter with olive oil over medium heat. Sauté finely chopped onions for approximately 4-5 minutes until translucent and softened, then introduce minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
3. Pour passata into the skillet, incorporating fresh basil, bouillon granules, sugar, red chili flakes, salt, and ground black pepper. Allow the mixture to gently simmer, then introduce heavy cream, milk, and shredded mozzarella, stirring until the cheese melts and creates a smooth, creamy consistency.
4. Fold the cooked pasta into the vibrant sauce, ensuring each strand is evenly coated. Warm the dish thoroughly, adjusting the sauce’s consistency by incorporating reserved pasta water if needed. Transfer to serving plates and enjoy immediately while piping hot.

Notes

• Check pasta texture carefully to ensure it’s perfectly al dente, preventing mushiness while maintaining a slight bite.
• Reserve pasta water strategically for adjusting sauce consistency, helping create smooth, silky sauce coating.
• Consider using dairy alternatives like coconut cream or plant-based milk for lactose-free version without compromising creamy texture.
• Adjust spice levels by increasing or decreasing chili flakes to match personal heat preference, making dish adaptable for different palates.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 600
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 30g
• Saturated Fat: 15g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 70g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 18g
• Cholesterol: 60mg