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Creamy Pink Sauce Pasta

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A cozy and easy homemade dinner featuring tender pasta coated in a silky, tangy pink sauce made from cream and crushed tomatoes. Perfect for weeknights or impressing guests with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz (340 g) penne or your favorite pasta shape
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (14 oz / 400 g) crushed tomatoes
  • ¾ cup (180 ml) heavy cream (can substitute with full-fat coconut milk for dairy-free)
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional; use nutritional yeast for vegan)
  • A handful fresh basil, chopped
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon butter (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz (340 g) pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (usually 9-11 minutes). Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  2. Drain pasta using a colander but reserve ½ cup (120 ml) of pasta water.
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Pour in 1 can (14 oz / 400 g) crushed tomatoes. Stir and simmer gently for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally until sauce thickens slightly.
  5. Lower heat to medium-low. Slowly add ¾ cup (180 ml) heavy cream and 1 tablespoon butter (if using). Stir continuously to blend until sauce turns soft pink and creamy.
  6. Stir in ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional), salt, and black pepper to taste. Let cheese melt fully, about 2 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  7. Add drained pasta directly into the skillet. Toss gently to coat every piece in creamy pink sauce. Add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time if sauce is too thick.
  8. Remove skillet from heat and stir in chopped fresh basil.
  9. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan and basil if desired.

Notes

Avoid overcooking garlic to prevent bitterness. Use gentle heat when adding cream to avoid curdling. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Freshly grated Parmesan melts better than pre-shredded. Toss pasta and sauce off heat to prevent cheese clumping. For dairy-free, substitute cream with full-fat coconut milk and Parmesan with nutritional yeast.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy pink sauce pasta, easy pasta recipe, homemade pasta sauce, cozy dinner, quick weeknight meal, creamy tomato pasta

Find it online: https://tempotaste.com/creamy-pink-sauce-pasta-recipe-easy-homemade-cozy-dinner-idea/