Description
This creamy Pink Sauce Pasta combines the rich flavors of marinara and heavy cream to create a luscious, vibrant sauce perfect for any pasta of your choice. Enhanced with garlic, red pepper flakes, and Parmesan cheese, this quick and comforting dish is ideal for a delicious weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz pasta (penne, spaghetti, or your choice)
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for a little heat)
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
Garnish
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water.
- Prepare the pink sauce: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add red pepper flakes: If using, add red pepper flakes and cook for another 30 seconds to release their flavor.
- Simmer the sauce: Stir in the marinara sauce, then add the heavy cream. Let the mixture simmer for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the pan with the pink sauce. Toss to coat the pasta evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add some of the reserved pasta cooking water to reach your desired consistency.
- Finish the dish: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper. Continue stirring until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Adjust seasoning: Taste and adjust seasoning as needed to balance salt and pepper to your preference.
- Serve: Serve the pasta hot, garnished with fresh basil or parsley if desired. Optionally, add additional Parmesan cheese on top. Enjoy your creamy pink sauce pasta!
Notes
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency.
- Use heavy cream for a rich and creamy texture; substitute with half-and-half for a lighter option.
- Red pepper flakes are optional and can be omitted for a milder sauce.
- Fresh herbs like basil or parsley add a fresh finish but are optional.
- Parmesan cheese can be substituted with Pecorino Romano for a sharper taste.
- Cook pasta al dente to avoid overcooking when mixing with sauce.
