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Quick and Creamy Pink Sauce Pasta (30-Minute Weeknight Dinner)

A close-up of penne pasta generously coated in creamy pink sauce pasta and sprinkled with black pepper.
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Make restaurant-style pink sauce pasta at home in just 30 minutes. This recipe blends rich marinara with smooth cream for a velvety, blush-colored sauce that is simple, comforting, and perfect for any weeknight meal.

Ingredients

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  • 1 pound pasta (penne, rigatoni, or fettuccine)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
  • 1 (15 ounce) can crushed tomatoes or marinara sauce
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining. Set the drained pasta aside.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until soft, about 4 minutes.
  3. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) to the skillet. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
  4. Pour in the crushed tomatoes or marinara sauce and the broth. Stir well and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Let it cook for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to combine.
  5. Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream until the sauce turns a uniform pink color.
  6. Stir in the Parmesan cheese, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water until you reach a silky consistency.
  7. Add the cooked and drained pasta to the skillet with the pink sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta is fully coated. Add more pasta water if needed to keep the sauce clinging to the noodles.
  8. Serve immediately. Garnish each serving with fresh chopped basil and extra grated Parmesan cheese.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, substitute cream cheese for half of the heavy cream. Add it in small cubes with the cream and stir until fully melted.
  • To make this a chicken pink sauce pasta, cook 1 pound of diced, seasoned chicken breast in the skillet before adding the onions. Remove the cooked chicken and stir it back in with the drained pasta at the end.
  • Use high-quality crushed tomatoes for the best flavor in your homemade pink pasta sauce.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingbyjade.com/pink-sauce-pasta-quick-creamy-recipe/