Description
This Pink Sauce Pasta recipe offers a creamy, flavorful twist on classic pasta with a luscious tomato-cream sauce enriched by garlic, basil, and melted mozzarella cheese. Perfectly balanced with a hint of spice and a comfort-food vibe, it’s a quick and satisfying meal suitable for weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 300 g pasta of choice (penne recommended)
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small red onion, minced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1.5 cups tomato passata (or pureed tomatoes or tomato sauce)
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 chicken bouillon cube, crumbled
- Pinch of sugar
- Sprinkle of red chili flakes
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/3 to 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving some of the pasta cooking water to adjust the sauce later if needed.
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the butter and olive oil. Once the butter has melted, add the minced red onion and cook for 4 to 5 minutes until softened and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Prepare the Sauce: Stir in the tomato passata, dried basil, crumbled chicken bouillon cube, pinch of sugar, red chili flakes, salt, and pepper. Let the sauce simmer gently for a few minutes to blend the flavors evenly.
- Add Dairy and Cheese: Pour in the heavy cream and milk, stirring to combine. Add the shredded mozzarella cheese and allow it to melt into the sauce, creating a creamy pink texture.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss well to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce. Warm through for a couple of minutes. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it to your desired consistency.
- Serve Immediately: Transfer the pasta to serving plates and enjoy while hot for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- You can enhance this dish by adding cooked shrimp or chicken for extra protein.
- Alternatively, serve this pasta as a tasty side dish alongside steak or grilled vegetables.
- The dish is delicious on its own without any additional protein, highlighting the creamy pink sauce’s flavor.
- Adjust red chili flakes to control the level of spice according to your preference.
Keywords: Pink Sauce Pasta, Creamy Tomato Pasta, Penne Pasta Recipe, Easy Pasta Sauce, Weeknight Dinner Italian