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    Cucina by Elena » Recipes » Pasta » Italian Pink Sauce Pasta Recipe (Tomato Cream)

    Italian Pink Sauce Pasta Recipe (Tomato Cream)

    Published: Apr 27, 2022 · Modified: May 19, 2022 by Elena · 5 Comments

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

    Italian Pink Sauce Pasta Recipe (Tomato Cream)- a crave worthy 20 minute pasta sauce with a few simple ingredients for a busy weeknight. An easy pasta dish that brings everyone to the table.

    This beautiful Italian pink sauce is a simple pasta tomato cream sauce for any type of pasta. It is also known as Rose or Parma Rosa Sauce. Great sauce for lobster ravioli!

    Penne in pink sauce on a plate.
    Plate of penned and pink sauce

    More traditional Italian pasta sauce recipes: Authentic Italian Pasta Puttanesca Sauce, Restaurant Style Italian Cacio e Pepe (Best Tips), and Authentic Italian Pesto Genovese (Basil Pesto).

    If you are looking for traditional tomato sauce or red sauce rather than a creamy tomato sauce try: Classic Italian Tomato Sauce (Sugo al Pomodoro). This pink sauce pasta recipe pairs well with this BEST Breaded Chicken Cutlets (Italian).

    Jump to:
    • What is Italian Pink Sauce?
    • Ingredients for Italian Pink Sauce Pasta
    • How to make Italian Pink Sauce Pasta Recipe (Tomato Cream)
    • How to make Pink Sauce (Tomato and Cream) Pasta- Video
    • Pasta recommendations
    • Tomato sauce
    • Why add tomato paste to tomato sauce?
    • Heavy whipping cream for pink sauce
    • Other names for pink sauce
    • Substitutions
    • Pink Sauce Variations
    • Equipment for recipe
    • Make ahead and storage
    • What to serve with pasta and pink sauce
    • Top tips
    • Easy Italian Pink Sauce Recipe (Tomato Cream Pasta)

    What is Italian Pink Sauce?

    Italian pink sauce is one of the most simple creamy tomato sauces to prepare for seasoning any type of pasta.

    This pink tomato cream sauce gets the name "rosa", or pink, in Italian from the mix of white heavy whipping cream and red tomato puree. You can make the sauce more or less pink depending on the ratios you use.

    You can prepare it in only 20 minutes, so it makes it a great recipe for a fast yet delectable Italian style pasta night. 

    Ingredients for Italian Pink Sauce Pasta

    With only a few simple ingredients and little time you can have this restaurant style recipe ready in no time at all.

    Ingredients needed for the pasta and pink sauce recipe
    Ingredients for Italian Pink Sauce Pasta Recipe (Tomato Cream)
    • Penne pasta or other pasta of choice
    • Extra virgin olive oil
    • Fresh Garlic
    • Yellow Onion
    • Tomato puree  
    • Tomato paste 
    • Heavy Cream
    • Fresh Basil
    • Salt (for pasta water)
    • Parmigiano or parmesan cheese
    • Optional (red pepper flakes)

    See recipe card for quantities.

    How to make Italian Pink Sauce Pasta Recipe (Tomato Cream)

    The process for pink pasta sauce is simple and straightforward making this an easy go-to pasta sauce recipe.

    Your delicious pasta sauce is just a few simple steps away...

    Photos 1-4

    1. Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and cook for 5 minutes or until onions are soft and translucent, stirring occasionally. Add garlic and cook for an additional minute. 
    2. Pour in tomato puree and tomato paste. Stir well to combine. 
    3. Add salt and bring to a soft boil, then lower heat to medium-low and simmer for 15 minutes.
    Italian Pink Sauce Pasta Recipe (Tomato Cream)- process of sautéing the onions and garlic, adding tomato puree and tomato paste
    First steps to making pink sauce

    Photos 5-11

    1. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente texture. Read my detailed guide to make the perfect pasta every time! Make sure you have the right pasta tool for stirring pasta!
    2. Add cream, parmigiano cheese, and fresh basil to the tomato sauce. Stir to combine. Let bubble a few minutes on low heat. Turn off heat. Take pan off stovetop.
    3. Reserve ¼ cup of pasta water and drain pasta. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the reserved pasta water. Stir until well combined.
    4. Serve with extra parmigiano cheese, red pepper flakes (if deserved), and a few fresh basil leaves. Mangia! (Eat!)
    Italian Pink Sauce Pasta Recipe (Tomato Cream)- process: adding the cream, letting it simmer, adding the parmigiano and basil leaves
    Final steps to making pasta sauce

    Hint: Don't forget to taste test your pasta for 'al dente' texture and save a little pasta water to create the perfect sauce!

    Italian Pink Sauce Pasta Recipe (Tomato Cream)- taste testing pasta and mixing with pink sauce
    Combining pasta sauce with perfectly cooked pasta

    How to make Pink Sauce (Tomato and Cream) Pasta- Video

    Pasta recommendations

    For this recipe I love a short pasta variety. You can try elbow macaroni, penne, rigatoni, or shells. It works perfectly well with long pasta, or even ravioli!

    To ready more about what sauces go well with what sauces see the chart in this post: Cheap vs. Expensive Pasta (Why Pasta Quality Matters!).

    Finished sauce in pan. A pretty pink sauce with a leaf of basil for decoration.
    The perfect pink sauce

    Tomato sauce

    Using the right tomato puree is key achieving the best sauce. I recommend using a good quality brand that uses tomatoes picked at the peak of ripeness.

    Don't use a brand that uses a lot of citric acid to preserve freshness- or it can make the sauce acidic.

    TIP: In case you do end up with a sauce that is a little acidic add a teaspoon of sugar.

    Brands I recommend:

    • Bianco DiNapoli Organic Whole Peeled Tomatoes 
    • Cento Italian Style
    • Dellalo San Marzano
    • Muir Glen Organic

    If you use whole tomatoes and instead of the puree make sure to blend the tomato until smooth before using them in this recipe.

    Why add tomato paste to tomato sauce?

    The addition of a little tomato paste in the sauce intensifies the rich tomato flavor. The concentrated bold tomato flavor makes this sauce extra tasty!

    The addition of heavy cream can slightly hide the sensational tomato taste and the tomato paste helps bring it back.

    Pasta and sauce are tossed in a pan to combine. Photo of finished dish in pan.
    Pasta and pink sauce combined in the pan

    Heavy whipping cream for pink sauce

    Make sure to look at the ingredients in your whipping cream. Some brands add stabilizers to make the cream have more 'body' instead of ONLY using cream.

    This can result to a sauce that isn't as smooth.

    TIP: DON'T boil the sauce on high heat or it may affect the cream and cause it to split while cooking

    Other names for pink sauce

    Different countries have a version of pink sauce. Here are a some:

    • Vodka Sauce- American version
    • Pink Marinara Sauce- American
    • Sugo Rosa- Italy
    • Rosé Sauce (rose sauce)- France
    • Salsa Rosada- Columbia. 
    Penne in pink sauce on a plate with a fork in it. The pan of the pasta and sauce is in the background.

    Substitutions

    This sauce encompasses bold and bright flavors with the use of heavy cream tomato sauce. If you are looking to make this dish a little lighter or dairy free- try these substitutions:

    • DAIRY FREE: Use canned Coconut milk in place of heavy cream.
    • LIGHT: Use Half and Half or Whole Milk in place of heavy cream.

    These substitutions will change the flavor and texture slightly, but they are equally enjoyable!

    Pink Sauce Variations

    Turn this delicious and simple recipe up a notch with these variation ideas.

    • Spicy - add chili pepper flakes while cooking the onions to imbue heat into the dish.
    • Deluxe - add bacon, pancetta, Italian sausage to add protein
    • Boozy - add 1 tablespoon of vodka while cooking the onions to turn this into the American version called- vodka sauce.
    • Pasta Water: If you need to thicken the sauce more, save and add a little pasta water.
    • Italian Seasoning or herbs- add a sprinkle of herbs to brighten the dish
    Penne in pink sauce on a plate with a fork in it. The pan of the pasta and sauce is in the background.

    Equipment for recipe

    All you need is a large skillet so you can make the sauce and the mix the pasta in the hot pan to evenly coat the sauce.

    I use my Pasta Server & Spaghetti Portion Utensil to stir the pasta and mix it with the sauce.

    Make ahead and storage

    Yes, you can make this sauce ahead of time and store it.

    • The sauce can be made a few days ahead and kept in an airtight container in the fridge. When ready to serve, heat on stove and add freshly cooked pasta. 
    • Leftovers can be warmed, covered, in the microwave. Add 1-2 tablespoons of milk or hot pasta water to loosen up the pasta if needed.

    What to serve with pasta and pink sauce

    The pink sauce pasta recipe makes an easy side dish for Best Italian Stuffed Chicken Thighs (Involtini di Pollo) or Best Salmon Piccata Recipe. Serve with a simple salad and homemade bread!

    Don't forget dessert: Simple Italian Apple Cake (one bowl), Classic Italian Tiramisu Recipe (Authentic), or Best Lemon Bars with Shortbread Crust!

    Or try serving the sauce over chicken, sausage, shrimp or even as a sauce for homemade pizza.

    Top tips

    • DO use a good quality tomato sauce
    • DON'T boil the sauce on high heat or it may affect the cream and cause it to split while cooking

    More delicious recipes for you

    • Cheese and Broccoli Pasta Bake with White Sauce
    • Classic Italian Lasagna Bolognese with Bechamel Sauce
    • Easy Baked Honey Orange Sesame Salmon
    • Dad's Famous Dry Rub Pork Ribs (EASY)
    Penne in pink sauce on a plate with a fork in it.

    Make sure to leave a star review below!

    Make sure to tag me on Instagram @cucinabyelena. I hope you loved it! To get more ideas follow me on Pinterest.

    Print
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    Penne in pink sauce on a plate with a fork in it.

    Easy Italian Pink Sauce Recipe (Tomato Cream Pasta)

    ★★★★★ 5 from 2 reviews
    • Author: Elena
    • Prep Time: 5 min
    • Cook Time: 15 minutes
    • Total Time: 20 minutes
    • Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
    • Category: Savory
    • Method: Italian
    • Cuisine: Italian
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Description

    Italian Pink Sauce Pasta Recipe (Tomato Cream)- a crave worthy 20 minute pasta sauce with a few simple ingredients for a busy weeknight. An easy pasta dish that brings everyone to the table.


    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • 1 lb (454 grams) pasta of choice
    • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
    • 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced
    • ½ yellow onion, diced
    • 1 can (28 oz) tomato puree
    • ½ tablespoon tomato paste
    • ¾ cup heavy whipping cream
    • ½ cup parmigiano (more for serving)
    • ½ cup fresh basil torn by hands (more for garnish)
    • Optional (red pepper flakes for serving)
    • Salt (for pasta water)

    Instructions

    1. Heat olive oil in large skillet pan over medium heat. Add onions and cook for 5 minutes or until onions are soft and translucent, stirring occasionally. Add garlic and cook for an additional minute. 
    2. Pour in tomato puree and tomato paste. Stir well to combine.  Add salt and bring to a soft boil, then lower heat to medium-low and simmer for 15 minutes.
    3. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente texture.
    4. Add cream, parmigiano cheese, and fresh basil to the creamy tomato sauce. Stir to combine. Let bubble a few minutes on low heat. Turn off heat. Take pan off stovetop.
    5. Reserve ¼ cup of pasta water and drain pasta. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the reserved pasta water. Stir until well combined.
    6. Serve with extra parmigiano cheese, red pepper flakes (if deserved), and a few fresh basil leaves. Mangia! (Eat!)

    Notes

    Storage: 

    • The sauce can be made a few days ahead and kept in an airtight container in the fridge. When ready to serve, heat on stove and add freshly cooked pasta. 
    • Leftovers can be warmed, covered, in the microwave. Add 1-2 tablespoons of milk or hot pasta water to loosen up the pasta if needed.

    Keywords: pasta, carbonara, pasta pink sauce, Italian cream tomato sauce, easy dinner, easy meal, authentic Italian, salsa rosa

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @cucinabyelena on Instagram when you make the recipe! I would love to see it. Don't forget to leave a STAR RATING and REVIEW on this post. Thank you!

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    Comments

    1. Elena says

      May 01, 2022 at 8:49 pm

      Go to recipe for an easy dinner!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    2. Jordan Davis says

      May 07, 2022 at 8:58 pm

      Love this pasta!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Elena says

        May 08, 2022 at 1:52 am

        Thanks babe!

        Reply
    3. Shelly says

      May 20, 2022 at 2:16 pm

      What brand of tomato purée would you recommend?

      Reply
      • Elena says

        May 20, 2022 at 4:39 pm

        Hello Shelly,

        See the ones I recommend in this post- https://www.cucinabyelena.com/sugo-al-pomodoro-classic-tomato-sauce/. Hope you love the recipe!

        Reply

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    Ciao! I'm Elena. Welcome to my cucina (kitchen). I was born in Italy and grew up spending my summers on the beaches of Sardegna cooking, eating, and sharing tasty Italian meals. Here you will find trusted, achievable, and delicious Italian (and more) recipes that highlight fresh ingredients with a simple process.

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