Description
This Quick Valentine’s Day Pink Pasta combines creamy tomato sauce with tender pasta for a delightful meal that’s ready in just 30 minutes. The rich blend of heavy cream, crushed tomatoes, garlic, and Parmesan cheese creates a luscious pink sauce, balanced with fresh basil for a romantic and flavorful dish perfect for a special occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta
- 8 oz pasta (penne or fettuccine)
For the Sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup canned crushed tomatoes
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil for sautéing
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Boil water in a large pot and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water for later use.
- Sauté garlic: In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute, being careful not to burn it.
- Prepare the sauce: Add crushed tomatoes to the skillet and let simmer for 5 minutes to reduce and concentrate the flavors. Then stir in the heavy cream, mixing well to create the pink sauce.
- Melt the cheese and season: Mix in grated Parmesan cheese and stir until melted and incorporated smoothly into the sauce. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Stir well to combine, adding the reserved pasta water gradually until you reach your desired sauce consistency.
- Garnish and serve: Serve the pasta warm, garnished with fresh chopped basil leaves for a fragrant and fresh finish.
Notes
- Use pasta water to loosen the sauce without diluting flavor.
- Fresh basil can be substituted with dried basil if needed, but use less as it is more concentrated.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or milk, though sauce will be less creamy.
- Parmesan cheese adds saltiness; taste before adding extra salt.
- Garlic should be cooked gently to avoid bitterness.
