Italian Pink Sauce Rose Pasta Recipe

Quick & Creamy Italian Pink Sauce Rose Pasta Recipe

Culinary magic happens when a creamy italian pink sauce rose pasta dances onto your plate with vibrant colors and irresistible flavors.

Smooth tomato undertones blend seamlessly with rich cream, creating a luxurious sauce that whispers comfort.

Restaurant-quality elegance emerges from simple ingredients waiting in your kitchen.

Passionate home cooks adore how quickly this recipe comes together without complicated techniques.

Mediterranean influences shine through each beautifully coated pasta strand, promising a delightful dining experience.

Weeknight dinners suddenly feel special with this incredible sauce that transforms ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary.

You will fall in love with every delectable bite of this dreamy pasta creation.

Pink Sauce Pasta Italian Style Ingredients

Pasta Base:
  • Penne, Fettuccine: Classic Italian pasta shapes that hold sauce beautifully, perfect for creamy sauces.
Fat and Aromatics:
  • Olive Oil, Butter: Rich cooking fats that add depth and smooth texture to the sauce.
  • Garlic: Provides intense, aromatic flavor foundation for the pink sauce.
Sauce Components:
  • Tomato Sauce: Gives vibrant red color and tangy base for the pink sauce.
  • Heavy Cream: Creates luxurious, silky texture and softens tomato sauce's acidity.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Adds salty, nutty complexity and helps thicken the sauce.
Seasoning:
  • Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for enhancing and balancing overall flavor profile.
  • Red Pepper Flakes: Optional ingredient for those who enjoy subtle heat and spice.
Cooking Liquid:
  • Pasta Water: Starchy liquid that helps emulsify and bind sauce components smoothly.

How to Cook Italian Pink Sauce Rose Pasta

How to Cook Italian Pink Sauce Rose Pasta

Step 1: Boil Pasta to Perfection

Drop pasta into a large pot of salted boiling water.

Cook until al dente following package guidance.

Before draining, scoop out some pasta water and set aside for later magic.

Step 2: Awaken Garlic Flavors

Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium heat.

Toss minced garlic and dance it around until it becomes wonderfully aromatic and slightly golden.

Step 3: Create Tomato Base

Pour in tomato sauce and sprinkle red pepper flakes.

Let the mixture simmer and bubble gently, allowing flavors to meld together for about 5 minutes.

Step 4: Introduce Creamy Goodness

Reduce heat and smoothly stir in heavy cream.

Blend carefully until the sauce transforms into a silky, luxurious texture.

Step 5: Enhance with Cheese and Butter

Add these ingredients to the simmering sauce:
  • Butter
  • Parmesan cheese
  • Salt
  • Black pepper

Stir consistently until everything melts and combines into a velvety consistency.

Step 6: Combine Pasta and Sauce

Slide cooked pasta into the creamy sauce.

Toss gently to ensure every strand gets coated.

If the sauce seems thick, splash in reserved pasta water to reach desired consistency.

Step 7: Finish with Fresh Flair

Scatter freshly chopped basil leaves over the top.

Serve immediately while piping hot for maximum deliciousness.

Pink Sauce Pasta With Italian Creaminess Tips You’ll Love

  • Save that starchy cooking liquid to help sauce cling perfectly to your noodles and create a silky, smooth texture.
  • Sauté garlic gently to release its flavor without burning, which can turn bitter and ruin the sauce's delicate balance.
  • Add heavy cream on low heat to prevent curdling and maintain a smooth, velvety consistency.
  • Grate Parmesan fresh and stir gradually to ensure even melting and prevent clumping in the sauce.
  • Tear fresh basil leaves just before serving to maximize their aromatic flavor and vibrant green color.

Store Pink Sauce Pasta For Second Serving

  • Store leftover pasta in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Let the sauce cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
  • Place pasta in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle 1-2 tablespoons of water or extra cream to prevent dryness. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to ensure even warming.
  • Warm pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of cream or pasta water to restore sauce's creamy texture. Stir gently to prevent sticking and maintain sauce consistency.
  • Pink sauce pasta doesn't freeze well due to cream's tendency to separate, which can impact texture and taste when thawed.

Go-Withs for Italian Pink Sauce Rose Pasta

  • Harmonize Creamy Richness: Pair this luscious pink sauce pasta with a crisp Pinot Grigio, whose light acidity beautifully cuts through the sauce's richness and complements its delicate flavors.
  • Elevate Protein Balance: Serve alongside grilled chicken breast or seared shrimp, which will add lean protein and enhance the pasta's creamy texture without overwhelming its subtle taste.
  • Brighten Plate Dynamics: Add a simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette, creating a fresh counterpoint to the pasta's rich and velvety sauce, while providing a zesty, peppery contrast.
  • Complement Herbal Notes: Sprinkle toasted pine nuts or fresh basil on top, introducing a nutty crunch and aromatic herb element that deepens the overall dining experience and adds textural complexity.

Pink Sauce Pasta with Creamy Italian Blends

  • Dairy-Free Delight: Replace heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream. Use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan for a vegan-friendly version.
  • Protein Power Boost: Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or plant-based protein like tofu cubes to make the pasta more substantial and filling.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Swap regular pasta with gluten-free alternatives like chickpea, lentil, or rice pasta to accommodate wheat sensitivities.
  • Spicy Herb Variation: Experiment with different herbs like oregano or thyme, and adjust red pepper flakes for extra heat or milder flavor profiles.

FAQs

  • What is pink sauce made of?

Pink sauce combines tomato sauce and heavy cream, creating a creamy, slightly tangy pasta sauce with a beautiful blush color. The mixture of red tomato sauce and white cream produces the signature pink hue.

  • Is pink sauce spicy?

The recipe includes red pepper flakes, which add a subtle heat. You can adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to control the spice level – use less for a milder sauce or more for extra kick.

  • Can I use different types of pasta?

Absolutely! While the recipe works great with traditional pasta shapes like spaghetti or penne, you can experiment with any pasta you prefer. Long noodles like fettuccine or short shapes like rigatoni will all work wonderfully with this sauce.

  • How can I make the sauce creamier?

To enhance the creaminess, you can add a bit more Parmesan cheese or a splash of extra heavy cream. The reserved pasta water also helps create a silky, smooth sauce by helping the ingredients blend together perfectly.

What You’ll Love About Italian Pink Sauce Pasta

What You’ll Love About Italian Pink Sauce Pasta

Whip Up Comfort: Quick and Satisfying Weeknight Dinner Perfect for Busy Families

  • Speedy Preparation: Completes in just 20 minutes from start to finish, making it ideal for hectic evenings when time is limited.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Flavor: Combines creamy and tangy elements that appeal to both kids and adults, ensuring everyone at the table enjoys their meal.
  • Pantry-Friendly Recipe: Uses common ingredients most home cooks already have, eliminating the need for special shopping trips or expensive components.
  • Versatile Customization: Easily adaptable by adding protein like chicken or shrimp, or adjusting spice levels to suit individual taste preferences.
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Italian Pink Sauce Rose Pasta Recipe

Italian Pink Sauce Rose Pasta Recipe


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4.7 from 29 reviews

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

Description

Creamy pink Rose Pasta brings Italian culinary magic to dinner tables with silky smooth tomato-cream perfection. Luxurious sauce embraces perfectly cooked pasta, inviting you to savor each delectable bite of Mediterranean comfort.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Pasta Ingredients:

  • 12 ounces (340 grams) pasta (penne or fettuccine)
  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Cooking Fats and Seasonings:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Aromatic Components:

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup pasta water (as needed)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the pasta in a large pot of salted water, following the package guidelines and carefully setting aside a half cup of the starchy cooking liquid.
  2. Warm the olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium temperature, gently sautéing the minced garlic until it releases its aromatic essence and becomes lightly golden.
  3. Pour the tomato sauce into the skillet, sprinkling red pepper flakes for a subtle heat, and allow the mixture to simmer and meld together for approximately 5 minutes.
  4. Reduce the heat to low and introduce heavy cream, whisking with precision to create a smooth, integrated sauce that displays a rich, velvety texture.
  5. Incorporate butter into the sauce, gradually adding grated Parmesan cheese while seasoning with salt and freshly cracked black pepper, stirring continuously until the mixture achieves a luxurious, uniform consistency.
  6. Transfer the perfectly cooked pasta directly into the creamy sauce, gently tossing to ensure each strand is lavishly coated, and if the sauce appears too thick, gradually introduce the reserved pasta water to achieve an ideal silky consistency.
  7. Finish the dish by scattering freshly torn basil leaves across the top, creating an aromatic and visually appealing presentation, and serve immediately while piping hot.

Notes

  • Adjust spice levels by controlling red pepper flakes for personal heat preference.
  • Save pasta water as a secret weapon to create silky, perfectly coated sauce consistency.
  • For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or Greek yogurt to reduce calories.
  • Experiment with alternative cheeses like pecorino or nutritional yeast for different flavor profiles and dietary needs.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Lunch
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 600
  • Sugar: 4 g
  • Sodium: 800 mg
  • Fat: 36 g
  • Saturated Fat: 18 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 60 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 15 g
  • Cholesterol: 90 mg
James Walker

James Walker

Lead Recipe Developer & Culinary Educator

Expertise

Southern Cuisine & Farm-to-Table Cooking, Recipe Development & Testing, Culinary Education & Instruction​

Education

School: Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts

Program: Diploma in Culinary Arts and Operations

Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern culinary techniques, kitchen operations, and farm-to-table practices. ​


James didn’t learn cooking from a TV show, he learned it from busy kitchens, family gatherings, and long afternoons spent testing recipes the hard way.
After training at the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, he brought his love for real, down-to-earth food to every dish he makes.
At Dining At Home, James loves building recipes that feel familiar but still have something special, like adding a twist to a classic or making a slow Sunday dinner feel brand new.
When he’s not in the kitchen, you’ll probably find him swapping garden tips at the farmers’ market or teaching his daughter how to flip pancakes without a mess (almost).

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