You know that feeling when you stumble upon a recipe that just blows your mind? This Italian pink sauce pasta went viral in 2022, and for a good reason. This recipe is a perfect marriage of marinara and alfredo. And let’s talk about that dreamy pink hue, it’s like food for the eyes before it even hits your taste buds. It’s the best of both worlds, plus, making this rose pasta is super easy.
Ingredients to make Italian pink sauce
- Pasta of your choice
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tbsp chopped onion
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 2 tbsp butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- Shredded parmesan
- Parsley/Cilantro, garnishing
How to make Italian Pink Pasta
- Cook your pasta according to the package instructions until it’s al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving about 1 cup of pasta water.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt some butter. Add in the minced onion and garlic, sautéing until they become fragrant and translucent.
- Stir in the tomato paste, allowing it to blend with the onions and garlic.
- Sprinkle in the oregano and salt. Mix everything well.
- Lower the heat and pour in the tomato sauce, heavy cream, and Italian seasoning, stirring until the sauce turns a shade of pink and thickens slightly. Let it simmer gently for a few more minutes.
- Add the cooked pasta, tossing it gently to coat each strand with the pink sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, you can add some of the reserved pasta water.
- Once everything is nicely combined, sprinkle a generous amount of shredded parmesan cheese. Give it a final toss to melt the cheese and incorporate it into the sauce.
- Garnish and serve your Italian pink sauce pasta hot.
Adding shrimp to your pink pasta
Adding shrimp is a way to level up your pink sauce and my tip for cooking the shrimp will give your dish a unique and delicious flavor. What you need:
- ½ pound shrimp
- 1 tsp fish sauce
- Olive oil
- Minced garlic
- 1/2 tsp sugar
You’re probably thinking, fish sauce? Italian don’t hate me for this, but adding fish sauce to your shrimp will give this dish much more flavor. It’s like a lot of pasta dishes use anchovies to give them a boost of flavor. Trust me on this!
You want to saute the garlic with olive oil, and add in shrimp, fish sauce, and sugar. Continue stirring until the shrimp is cooked. Make sure to not cook it for too long or you might overcook it.
Combine your pasta and shrimp. Garnish with parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes as desired.
FAQs
Can I make the pink sauce ahead of time, and freeze the pink sauce?
Yes, you can make the sauce ahead of time and freeze them. When ready to serve, don’t warm the sauce in the microwave, as you might accidentally overheat it and cause the cream to split. Make sure to thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and reheat it on the stove over medium heat until it is warm enough NOT to boil.
Can Italian Pink Sauce be made with canned tomatoes?
Yes, Italian Pink Sauce can be made with canned tomatoes. You can use diced or crushed tomatoes, depending on your preference. Just be sure to drain the excess liquid from the can and blend the tomatoes before adding them to the sauce.
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Why do you add tomato paste to tomato sauce?
Tomato paste is an great addition to tomato sauce because it helps enhance the flavor. Tomato paste is made from tomatoes that have been cooked down until they form a thick paste. This is why it is often used in dishes with tomatoes to make the meal rich in flavors.
Sub your heavy cream with dairy-free cashew sauce
Rose Shrimp Pasta - Italian Pink Sauce
Ingredients
- Pasta of your choice
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tbsp chopped onion
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 2 tbsp butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- Shredded parmesan
- Parsley/Cilantro garnishing
Instructions
- Cook your pasta according to the package instructions until it’s al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving about 1 cup of pasta water.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt some butter. Add in the minced onion and garlic, sautéing until they become fragrant and translucent.
- Stir in the tomato paste, allowing it to blend with the onions and garlic.
- Sprinkle in the oregano and salt. Mix everything well.
- Lower the heat and pour in the tomato sauce, heavy cream, and Italian seasoning, stirring until the sauce turns a shade of pink and thickens slightly. Let it simmer gently for a few more minutes.
- Add the cooked pasta, tossing it gently to coat each strand with the pink sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, you can add some of the reserved pasta water.
- Once everything is nicely combined, sprinkle a generous amount of shredded parmesan cheese. Give it a final toss to melt the cheese and incorporate it into the sauce.
- Garnish and serve your Italian pink sauce pasta hot, garnished with fresh cilantro.
