Description
Pink rose sauce pasta delivers a creamy Italian culinary dream from Naples. Home cooks can easily craft this elegant dish with simple ingredients and quick preparation techniques.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) pasta (penne or fettuccine)
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) heavy cream
- 1/2 cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt and Pepper:
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Boil pasta in salted water until al dente, then drain and reserve a small amount of cooking water.
- Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium temperature, then gently sauté minced garlic and diced onions until translucent and aromatic.
- Pour tomato sauce into the skillet, incorporating Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes for depth of flavor. Allow mixture to simmer and reduce slightly for approximately 5 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low and slowly incorporate heavy cream, stirring consistently to create a smooth, blush-colored sauce.
- Gradually fold in grated Parmesan cheese, adjusting seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Continue simmering for an additional 2 minutes until sauce thickens.
- Introduce cooked pasta directly into the sauce, gently tossing to ensure each strand is thoroughly coated. If sauce appears too thick, add reserved pasta water to achieve desired consistency.
- Transfer to serving plates immediately, garnishing with freshly chopped basil leaves for a vibrant finish and aromatic touch.
Notes
- Swap heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk for a lighter version that still maintains creamy texture.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make the dish suitable for those with wheat sensitivities.
- Toast garlic and onions slowly to develop deeper, richer flavor without burning.
- Consider adding protein like grilled chicken or shrimp to transform this into a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 365 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 280 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 11 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg