This creamy pink sauce pasta recipe is made in under 20 minutes in one pot. Made with tomato passata, mozzarella cheese and heavy cream and flavored with fresh basil. The easiest weeknight dinner recipe.
What Is Pink Sauce?
Made with a blend of tomato and cream. Pink sauce is a popular Middle Eastern pasta sauce recipe made with either passata or tomato purée and either heavy cream or cream cheese. It is for fresh and less heavy than white sauce and slightly tangy thanks to the tomatoes.
Rosa sauce pasta is a dish made with pasta and a sauce that is usually referred to as "pink sauce" or "rosa sauce". The sauce is made with a combination of tomato sauce, cream, and seasonings, and is typically a light pink or orange color.
It is a creamy and slightly sweet sauce that complements a variety of pasta shapes, including spaghetti, fettuccine, and penne. Some variations of rosa sauce pasta may also include ingredients such as chicken, shrimp, or vegetables to add flavor and texture to the dish.
This type of sauce is often considered a lighter and healthier alternative to traditional Alfredo sauce, which is typically made with only cream and cheese. Overall, rosa sauce pasta is a delicious and satisfying pasta dish that can be enjoyed as a main course or as a side dish.
Ingredients For Pink Sauce
Butter - Frying the onions and garlic in butter gives the base for this creamy tomato sauce pasta recipe.
Red Onions - Substitute for regular brown onions if needed.
Minced Garlic - No pasta sauce is complete without garlic. Add more if you like garlic as much as I do.
Passata - Tomato purée.
Mozzarella Cheese - This makes the pasta extra delicious but can definitely be left out for a lighter, less rich pasta sauce.
Heavy Cream - This is the base of this pink sauce. Coconut cream works just as well.
Basil - Dried and fresh basil can be used to add flavor to this creamy pink sauce.
How To Make Rosa Sauce Pasta
Cook the pasta
Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Cook the pasta until it is al dente. Drain the pasta and keep a little pasta water for the sauce.
Fry the onions
In a skillet over medium heat, add oil and butter and allow the butter to melt and bubble slightly. Add the diced onions and garlic and fry for a few minutes.
Add the tomato and spices
Add the tomato purée and dried basil to the skillet and give it a stir. Allow the mixture to simmer lightly for a few minutes.
Make it creamy
Add in the mozzarella cheese and cream and stir until the cheese has melted.
Add the pasta
Add the cooked and drained pasta to the skillet and add the reserved pasta water if needed.
What Pasta To Use
There are several types of pasta that work well with rosa sauce. The best pasta to use for rosa sauce pasta depends on personal preference and the desired texture and flavor. Here are a few pasta shapes that are commonly used for rosa sauce pasta:
- Fettuccine: This flat, ribbon-like pasta has a wide surface area that is basically perfect for capturing the creamy rosa sauce.
- Spaghetti: This long, thin pasta is a classic choice for rosa sauce pasta. Because it is easy to twirl around a fork, makes it a fun option for kids.
- Penne: This short, tube-shaped pasta is a great option for rosa sauce pasta because it has ridges that help hold onto the sauce.
- Linguine: This flat, thin pasta is similar to spaghetti, but slightly wider. It works well with rosa sauce pasta because it is sturdy enough to hold up to the sauce, yet still tender enough to be enjoyable to eat.
- Rigatoni: This large, tube-shaped pasta is ideal for rosa sauce pasta because it has a wide surface area that allows the sauce to seep into the pasta.
For a delicious variation, try using butternut filled ravioli.
Add Ins and Variations
Chicken - Add shredded rotisserie chicken or chicken strips to the pink sauce pasta for a delicious protein filled variation.
Herbs - Swop out the basil for thyme or fresh origanum for a slightly different taste.
Feta Cheese - Sprinkle chunks of feta cheese over the top for a little extra saltiness.
Chili - Add fresh or dried chili for a slight kick.
Tomato-Basil Rosa Sauce - This variation is made with ripe tomatoes, basil leaves, garlic, and red pepper flakes, and is seasoned with salt and black pepper to taste.
Sun-Dried Tomato Rosa Sauce - This sauce is made with sun-dried tomatoes, which add a sweet and slightly tangy flavor to the sauce. The sun-dried tomatoes are combined with fresh tomatoes, cream, garlic, and basil, and seasoned with salt and black pepper to taste.
Mushroom Rosa Sauce - This sauce is made by sautéing mushrooms and garlic in olive oil, and then adding fresh tomatoes, cream, and basil. The sauce is seasoned with salt and black pepper to taste, and can be served over pasta, or used as a base for a mushroom risotto.
Pesto Rosa Sauce - This variation is made by combining pesto with a basic rosa sauce. The pesto adds a fresh, herby flavor to the sauce, and pairs well with pasta, chicken, or seafood.
Spicy Rosa Sauce - This sauce is made with fresh or canned tomatoes, cream, garlic, and red pepper flakes. It is seasoned with salt and black pepper to taste, and has a slightly spicy flavor.
Expert Tips
Don't overcook the pasta - To ensure you have the perfect pasta dish, ensure that the pasta is cooked al dente. This will make sure you aren't left with a mushy mess.
Add more cheese - For an extra cheesy pasta sauce, add extra mozzarella or top with grated parmesan cheese.
Adjust the seasoning - Add salt and pepper to taste and add more or less dried basil depending on your desired taste.
What To Serve With Pink Sauce Pasta
Pink sauce pasta is a go-to for weeknights. Serve it with anything from a delicious and fresh salad. Or a few slices of crusty bread.
I often serve the pink sauce pasta with my panko crumbed chicken breasts or add shrimp to the pasta dish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pink sauce or rosa sauce tastes like the perfect combination of cream and tomatoes. Refreshing but still creamy.
Rosa sauce and vodka sauce are both tomato-based sauces that are commonly used in Italian cuisine. However, they differ in their ingredients and flavor profiles.
Rosa sauce is a creamy tomato sauce that is made with tomato puree, cream, and parmesan cheese.
It is usually seasoned with garlic, basil, and red pepper flakes, and has a smooth, velvety texture. Rosa sauce is often used with pasta dishes, and is particularly good with lighter pasta shapes like fettuccine or penne.
Vodka sauce, on the other hand, is made with a combination of tomato puree, heavy cream, and vodka. It is seasoned with onion, garlic, and red pepper flakes, and has a slightly tangy flavor that is balanced by the sweetness of the cream and the heat of the vodka.
Vodka sauce is often used with heartier pasta shapes, such as rigatoni or ziti, and is a popular choice for dishes like pasta carbonara or spaghetti alla vodka.
In summary, rosa sauce is a creamy tomato sauce with a smooth texture and a mild flavor, while vodka sauce is a tangy tomato sauce with a slight heat and a slightly sweet flavor due to the addition of vodka and heavy cream.
Yes, you can use milk instead of cream in pasta sauce, but it will affect the texture and flavor of the sauce.
Milk has a lower fat content than cream, so it will not provide the same rich, velvety texture as cream.
The sauce made with milk will be lighter and thinner, and may not hold together as well. Additionally, the heat from cooking the sauce can cause the milk to curdle, which will give the sauce a grainy texture.
If you choose to use milk in your pasta sauce, it's best to use whole milk, as this will give you the richest flavor and texture. You may also want to add a little cornstarch or flour to help thicken the sauce.
If you're looking to reduce the fat content of your pasta sauce, you might consider using a combination of milk and cream, or using a lower-fat alternative like half-and-half or heavy cream. This can help you to get the best of both worlds: a rich, creamy texture with a lower fat content.
Easy Pink Sauce Pasta
A delicious one-pan pasta dish made with tomato purée and filled with a creamy cheesy sauce.
Ingredients
- 500g penne pasta
- 2 Tbsp butter
- 1 Tbsp oil
- 1 red onion, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups tomato purée
- 3 tsp dried basil
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup mozzarella, grated
- Fresh basil for topping
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and reserve ½ cup of pasta water.
- In a skillet over medium heat add the oil and butter and allow to heat up.
- Add the diced onions and minced garlic and cook for a few minutes.
- Add the tomato purée and dried basil. Allow to simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Add the heavy cream and cheese and stir until the cheese has melted.
- Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the cooked pasta. Adding the reserved pasta water if needed.
- Top with fresh basil.
