Quick, Easy Pink Sauce Pasta

rigatoni pasta with pink sauce on a white plate topped with fresh basil and shredded parmesan cheese.

5 from 1 vote

Quick, Easy Pink Sauce Pasta

This quick and easy pink sauce pasta is tossed in a rose-colored tomato cream sauce. Serve on its own or top with shrimp or chicken. This one pot meal is ready in 20 minutes!

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time15 mins

Total Time20 mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Servings:

Calories: 745kcal

Author: Crystal DaCruz

Ingredients

1 pound rigatoni or tube-shaped pasta
½ cup pasta water reserved
4 tablespoon unsalted butter divided
8 ounces tomato paste
2 tablespoon garlic paste
¼ teaspoon dried red chili flakes
2 cups heavy cream
28 ounces puréed tomatoes canned
2 teaspoon garlic powder
2 teaspoon onion powder
¼ cup vodka optional
½ teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon fresh basil chopped
¼ cup parmesan cheese shredded

Instructions

Fill a stockpot with water, add 2-3 tablespoons of kosher salt and bring to a boil. Add pasta and follow the al-dente instructions on the package. Drain and reserve ½ cup of pasta water.
Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a large, deep skillet. Add the tomato paste and crushed garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes.
Stir in the chili flakes and dry seasonings then add the puréed tomatoes and vodka (optional). Let cook for 1-2 minutes more.
Stir in the heavy cream. Once the sauce starts to simmer, turn the heat down low and cover the pan with a lid. Let the sauce cook for 15 minutes.
Add the remaining tablespoons of butter to the sauce, then add the pasta water. Stir until the butter is melted. Cut the flame and stir in the chopped basil and shredded parmesan. Taste the sauce and season with salt and pepper.
Add the pasta to the sauce and toss until it's evenly coated. Serve immediately with fresh black pepper and extra parmesan cheese.

Notes

Al dente pasta works best for this dish. Not only does it taste better, it holds up to when tossed in sauce.
Make sure to reserve some pasta water! Adding it to the sauce helps the sauce bind to the pasta. I also like to reserve some extra to toss the to the pasta with when reheating leftovers.
Keep the flame low while the sauce is cooking and make sure to cover the pot with a lid to avoid hot/messy splatters.

Nutrition