20-Minute Pink Sauce Pasta
Italian pink sauce pasta is a crave worthy, 20-minute recipe that's made with just a few simple ingredients. It's perfect for a busy weeknight or an elegant dinner, as it's an easy pasta dish that brings everyone to the table!
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound penne pasta or preferred shape
- salt for pasta water
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves fresh garlic minced
- ½ yellow onion diced
- 1 28-ounce can tomato puree
- ½ tablespoon tomato paste
- ¾ cup heavy whipping cream
- ½ cup parmigiano-reggiano cheese freshly grated; plus more for serving
- ½ cup fresh basil torn; plus more for garnish
- red pepper flakes for serving optional
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet pan over medium heat. Add onions and cook for 5 minutes, or until the onions are soft and translucent, stirring occasionally. Add garlic and cook for an additional minute.
- Pour in tomato purée 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.
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente.
- Add cream, parmigiano cheese, and fresh basil to the creamy tomato sauce. Stir to combine. Let bubble for a few minutes on low heat. Turn off the heat. Take the pan off the stovetop.
- Reserve ¼ cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the reserved pasta water. Stir until well combined.
- Serve with extra parmigiano cheese, red pepper flakes (if deserved), and a few fresh basil leaves. Mangia! (Eat!)
Notes
- Use high-quality tomato purée and cream for the best flavor and creamy texture—no watery sauce!
- Cook the tomato paste until it deepens in color to enhance its sweetness and richness.
- Add cream slowly and stir continuously for a smooth, emulsified sauce. Also, avoid having the heat too high, or it may cause the sauce to split.
- Use freshly grated Parmigiano for a more flavorful finish and better texture; pre-grated cheese doesn’t melt as well.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 384kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 29mg | Sodium: 146mg | Potassium: 617mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 977IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 124mg | Iron: 3mg
