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    Bites with Bri » Pasta » Pink Sauce Pasta

    Pink Sauce Pasta

    Published: Apr 13, 2022 · Modified: May 18, 2022 by Brianna May · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    This easy Pink Sauce Pasta is a cross between alfredo and a traditional tomato sauce. The dish comes together in less than 30 minutes, making it the perfect weeknight dinner. Don’t forget some wine and fresh garlic bread. Total comfort food! 

    Pink sauce pasta in a white pan with basil on top.

    I love creamy tomato pasta dishes, like my quick and easy Butter Chicken Pasta, fresh Basil Pasta, hearty Sausage & Peppers Pasta, one pot Instant Pot Chicken Spaghetti, and Lobster Ravioli Sauce. My creamy Cajun Shrimp and Sausage Pasta is always a hit as well.

    For fall, I love to make this Savory Pumpkin Pasta Sauce.

    These pink sauce pastas pair perfectly with this delicious Texas Toast Garlic Bread or this Parmesan Rosemary Bread. You will be in complete carb heaven!

    For a lighter side dish, serve this pink sauce pasta with a simple salad, like my Panera Copycat Greek Salad or Kale Crunch Salad. So fresh and crisp!

    Jump to:
    • What is pink sauce made of?
    • Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
    • How to Make Pink Sauce Pasta
    • Expert Tips & Variations
    • Recipe FAQs
    • More Pasta Recipes
    • The Best Pink Sauce Pasta

    What is pink sauce made of?

    Most pink sauce pasta recipes are a blend of alfredo sauce (heavy cream and freshly grated parmesan cheese) and tomato puree or sauce. The deep red and bright white result in a creamy pink pasta sauce. It is a creamy tomato sauce.

    The tomatoes that are added balance the richness of the heavy cream and parmesan cheese with their natural acidity. 

    It is my personal favorite because it is a little lighter than an alfredo sauce, but more flavorful and cheesy than a marinara sauce.

    Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

    Overhead of ingredients needed to make pink pasta sauce in glass bowls.
    • Unsalted Butter: Swap the butter for olive oil.
    • Shallot: Swap for ½ of a small yellow or red onion.
    • Red Chili Flakes: Omit or reduce to ½ teaspoon for less spice.
    • White Wine: I like to use sauvignon blanc because it is dry and citrusy. You can swap the wine for vegetable or chicken broth. 
    • Rigatoni Pasta: Swap for 1 pound of any short cut pasta, like fusilli, penne, or farfalle. You can also use gluten free pasta.
    • Parmesan Cheese: Shredded or grated parmesan both work, just be sure it is fresh.

    Complete list of ingredients and amounts is located on the recipe card below.

    How to Make Pink Sauce Pasta

    Quick Overview

    • Sauté the garlic and cook the shallot. Season with salt and pepper.
    • Deglaze the pan with wine.
    • Add crushed tomatoes and simmer. 
    • Stir in heavy cream and parmesan cheese.
    • Toss pasta with the pink sauce.
    • Top sauced pasta with basil.

    Step by Step Instructions

    Step 1: Over medium heat in a large pan, add the butter, shallot, and garlic. Sauté for 2-3 minutes or until browned.

    Step 2: Stir in the salt, pepper, oregano, basil, and chili flakes. Sauté for 60 seconds or until fragrant.

    Step 3: Deglaze the pan with the white wine, scraping all of the brown bits off the bottom.

    Step 4: Stir in the crushed tomatoes. Reduce the heat to low and simmer. Boil the pasta according to the instructions on the package in salted water, while the sauce simmers.

    4 photos. Garlic and shallot browning. Spices toasting. Wine deglazing pan. Tomatoes added.

    Brown bits should form in pan.

    Step 5: Stir in the heavy cream and increase the heat to medium.

    Step 6: Once the heavy cream begins to bubble, stir in the parmesan.

    Step 7: Reserve some pasta water. Drain pasta and toss with the pink sauce. Add pasta water as needed to thin the sauce.

    3 photos. Cream stirred in. Parmesan stirred in. Pasta tossed in pink sauce.

    Expert Tips & Variations

    • Use good quality parmesan cheese. I prefer parmesan reggiano. However, it is expensive. As long as you do not use the parmesan that comes in a can in the pantry section, it will be delicious. 
    • Brown the garlic and shallots. Brown them until bits form in the bottom of the pan. These add so much flavor to the sauce. 
    • Salt the pasta water. Add a few spoonfuls of salt to the water. This will help enhance the flavor of the pasta and sauce.
    • Do not over cook the pasta. Follow the instructions on the package for how long to boil the pasta. Always set a timer. I usually start with the shortest time recommended and usually subtract another minute because I like my pasta al dente. Example: boil for 12-14 minutes, I would boil the pasta for 11 minutes.
    • Make pink sauce pasta with chicken. Add sliced grilled or pan seared chicken breast on top.
    Close up of pink sauce pasta.

    Recipe FAQs

    What is pink sauce actually called?

    It is usually just called pink pasta sauce. Some might refer to it as creamy tomato sauce, parma rosa, or even vodka sauce, because it has a similar color. 

    What are 3 different types of pasta sauce?

    There are many different types of pasta sauces. The three main types of pasta sauce are tomato based, cream based, and oil based sauces. Marinara, alfredo, pesto, and many more all fall into these three categories.

    More Pasta Recipes

    • Chicken Penne Alla Vodka
    • Creamy Cajun Shrimp & Sausage Pasta
    • Pumpkin Pasta Sauce
    • Basil Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes

    If you try this recipe, please leave a star rating in the recipe card below and/or comment! I always appreciate your feedback. Follow me on Pinterest, Facebook & Instagram.

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    5 from 84 votes

    The Best Pink Sauce Pasta

    This easy Pink Sauce Pasta is a cross between alfredo and a traditional tomato sauce. The dish comes together in less than 30 minutes, making it the perfect weeknight dinner. Don’t forget some wine and fresh garlic bread. Total comfort food!
    Servings6 people
    Prep5 minutes
    Cook15 minutes
    Total20 minutes
    Course: Main
    Cuisine: Italian
    Author: Brianna May

    Equipment:

    • Nonstick pan/pot
    • Stirring Spoon
    • Garlic Press

    Ingredients:

    • 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter*
    • 8 cloves garlic
    • 1 shallot, diced finely*
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • fresh cracked pepper
    • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
    • 2 teaspoon dried basil
    • 1 teaspoon red chili flakes*
    • ⅓ cup dry white wine*
    • 1 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
    • 1 pound dry rigatoni pasta*
    • 1 ¼ cup heavy cream
    • 1 cup parmesan cheese, plus more for serving*
    • fresh basil leaves, for serving

    Instructions:

    • Over medium heat in a large pan, add the butter, shallot, and garlic. Sauté for 2-3 minutes or until browned.
    • Stir in the salt, pepper, oregano, basil, and chili flakes. Sauté for 60 seconds or until fragrant.
    • Deglaze the pan with the white wine, scraping all of the brown bits off the bottom.
    • Stir in the crushed tomatoes. Reduce the heat to low and simmer. Boil the pasta according to the instructions on the package in salted water, while the sauce simmers.
    • Stir in the heavy cream and increase the heat to medium.
    • Once the heavy cream begins to bubble, stir in the parmesan.
    • Reserve some pasta water. Drain pasta and toss with the pink sauce. Add pasta water as needed to thin the sauce.

    Notes:

    • Unsalted Butter: Swap the butter for olive oil.
    • Shallot: Swap for ½ of a small yellow or red onion.
    • Red Chili Flakes: Omit or reduce to ½ teaspoon for less spice.
    • White Wine: I like to use sauvignon blanc because it is dry and citrusy. You can swap the wine for vegetable or chicken broth. 
    • Rigatoni Pasta: Swap for 1 pound of any short cut pasta, like fusilli, penne, or farfalle. You can also use gluten free pasta.
    • Parmesan Cheese: Shredded or grated parmesan both work, just be sure it is fresh.
    • Salt the pasta water. Add a few spoonfuls of salt to the water. This will help enhance the flavor of the pasta and sauce.
    • Do not over cook the pasta. Follow the instructions on the package for how long to boil the pasta. Always set a timer. I usually start with the shortest time recommended and usually subtract another minute because I like my pasta al dente. Example: boil for 12-14 minutes, I would boil the pasta for 11 minutes.

    NUTRITION:

    Calories: 571kcal | Carbohydrates: 62g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 77mg | Sodium: 681mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g
    Did you make this recipe? Tag me on Instagram!Mention or tag @bites.with.bri_ or use the hashtag #biteswithbri
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    Comments

    1. nancy

      April 19, 2022 at 12:06 pm

      5 stars
      this cream sauce is SOO yummy! adding white wine really lifted the flavours

      Reply

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    I am a recipe developer, food photographer, blogger. My goal is to teach you how to cook, not just follow my recipes. I love to cook with bold flavors that are still family friendly. My hubs is a picky eater and all of these recipes are approved by him, so I am sure you and your family will love them too. Learn more about Bri >>

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