Quick & Creamy 30-Minute Pink Sauce Pasta (Restaurant Style)
I’m Alex, and I am happy you found this recipe. If you want a restaurant-quality pasta dish that tastes indulgent but comes together in under 30 minutes, this creamy pink sauce pasta is for you. This easy rose sauce recipe blends rich marinara with smooth cream for that perfect blush color and velvety texture. It is a fantastic, no-fuss weeknight dinner idea that tastes gourmet.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
- Total Time: 30 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound pasta (penne, rigatoni, or fettuccine work well)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 (15 ounce) can crushed tomatoes or marinara sauce
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- 1/4 cup reserved pasta water
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, if using. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant; do not let the garlic brown.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes and dried oregano. Let the sauce simmer gently for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Reduce the heat to low. Slowly pour in the heavy cream while stirring constantly. Continue stirring until the sauce is fully combined and has turned a light pink color.
- Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy. If the sauce seems too thick, add the reserved pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach a velvety consistency.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the pink sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated. Season with salt and pepper to your taste.
- Serve immediately. Top each serving with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh basil, if desired.
Notes
- To achieve the best, non-grainy texture, always add the cream to the tomato base over low heat and stir in the Parmesan cheese off the heat.
- For a richer flavor, substitute half of the heavy cream with cream cheese, softened slightly before adding.
- This recipe pairs well with grilled chicken or shrimp for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 550
- Fat: 35
- Saturated Fat: 20
- Unsaturated Fat: 15
- Trans Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 60
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 25
- Cholesterol: 90