Easy Pink Sauce for Pasta

A pan of penne pasta tossed in a creamy italian pink sauce garnished with basil leaves.

This pink sauce pasta recipe is wonderful combination of red and cream sauce made with just a handful of pantry ingredients. I love serving it with penne pasta to really soak up all the yumminess.

Course Dinner

Cuisine American, Italian

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 30

Total Time 40

Servings servings

Calories 632kcal

Author Sherri Hagymas

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter unsalted
1 medium yellow onion finely chopped
3 cloves garlic minced
15 ounces tomato sauce 1 can
1 ½ cup water
½ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 cup heavy cream
¼ cup fresh basil roughly chopped
¼ cup parmesan
3 cups penne pasta dry
Fresh basil as garnish

Instructions

Add water to a large pot and let it come to a boil while making the sauce.
Add the butter to a large skillet over medium heat. Then add the diced onion and sauté until tender and translucent.
2 tablespoons butter, 1 medium yellow onion
Then add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
3 cloves garlic
Next, add the tomatoes, water, paprika, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes.
15 ounces tomato sauce, 1 ½ cup water, ½ teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper, ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Bring it to a boil over medium heat. Then reduce to heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes until the liquid reduces.
While the sauce is simmering, cook the pasta per the package directions to just al dente.
3 cups penne pasta
Stir in heavy cream and the fresh basil leaves and simmer for another five minutes.
1 cup heavy cream, ¼ cup fresh basil
Remove the pan from the heat and add the parmesan cheese. Stir to combine.
¼ cup parmesan
Drain the pasta into a colander in the sink and then add it to the sauce and toss gently to coat the pasta in the sauce.
Serve immediately and garnish with extra parmesan and fresh basil.
Fresh basil as garnish

Notes

Use any pasta you'd like. Fusilli, spaghetti, fettuccine, etc.

Add in a protein if you'd like. Cooked diced chicken, shrimp, or vegetables, like peas or mushrooms, are wonderful additions.

Adjust the spice level. Make is spicier by adding more red pepper flakes or leave it out completely.

Refrigerate: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Reheating: Reheat in the microwave on a microwave safe plate for 30 seconds. stir and heat for an additional 10-20 seconds if necessary. You can also heat it in a saucepan on the stove. Add a tablespoon of water or reserved pasta water if it is a little dry.

Nutrition