Description
This creamy and flavorful Pink Sauce Pasta combines the rich taste of marinara and heavy cream to create a luscious sauce that perfectly coats your choice of pasta. Enhanced with garlic, a hint of red pepper flakes, and Parmesan cheese, this easy-to-make dish is a comforting favorite that’s ready in just 25 minutes, making it perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz pasta (penne, spaghetti, or your choice)
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for a little heat)
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
Garnish
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside, reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water for later use.
- Prepare the pink sauce: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Add red pepper flakes: Stir in red pepper flakes if using, and cook for an additional 30 seconds to release their flavor.
- Simmer the sauce: Pour in the marinara sauce, then add the heavy cream. Let the mixture simmer gently for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens slightly and becomes creamy.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the pan with the pink sauce. Toss well to coat all the pasta evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta cooking water a tablespoon at a time until reaching the desired consistency.
- Finish the dish: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper. Continue stirring until the cheese melts completely and the sauce is smooth and silky.
- Adjust seasoning: Taste the pasta and adjust salt and pepper if needed to suit your preference.
- Serve: Serve the pink sauce pasta hot, garnished with fresh basil or parsley if desired. Optionally, sprinkle additional Parmesan cheese on top before serving. Enjoy your creamy, delicious meal!
Notes
- For a spicier kick, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or add a dash of hot sauce.
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter version, though the sauce will be less rich.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and smoothest melt.
- Reserve some pasta water to loosen the sauce as needed; this also helps the sauce adhere better to the pasta.
- Fresh herbs like basil or parsley brighten up the dish and add a fresh aroma.
- This sauce works well with various pasta types, including penne, spaghetti, or rigatoni.
