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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Prepare pasta according to package directions until perfectly tender yet firm. Drain, preserving a small amount of starchy cooking liquid for later use.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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