Description
Pink Sauce Pasta is a creamy and delicious pasta dish that combines the richness of Alfredo sauce with the tanginess of marinara. It’s a perfect comfort food, with a velvety, smooth sauce that coats the pasta beautifully. This easy-to-make dish is a crowd-pleaser, great for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion!
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz pasta (penne, spaghetti, or your choice)
- 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)
- 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 pasta cooking water.
- Prepare the pink sauce:
- While the pasta is cooking, 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) and cook for another 30 seconds.
- 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 the pasta and sauce:
- Add the cooked pasta to the pan with the pink sauce. Toss to coat the pasta in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta cooking water to reach your desired consistency.
- Finish the dish:
- Stir in grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper. Continue stirring until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Serve:
- Serve the pasta hot, garnished with fresh basil or parsley if desired. Enjoy with additional Parmesan on top if preferred.
Notes
- For a lighter version, you can substitute the heavy cream with half-and-half or milk.
- Add vegetables (such as spinach or mushrooms) or protein (such as grilled chicken or shrimp) to make it a more substantial dish.
- For extra flavor, you can use homemade marinara sauce or a high-quality store-bought one.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of the recipe
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 520
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 49g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 50mg