Creamy Tomato Sauce Recipe. Pink Sauce
Creamy Tomato Sauce Recipe. Pink Sauce is a medium Italian recipe that serves 4. 350 calories per serving. Recipe by Al Dente Diva on YouTube.
Prep: 15 min | Cook: 1 hr 8 min | Total: 1 hr 38 min
Cost: $11.77 total, $2.94 per serving
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil (for sautéing)
- 1.5 tablespoons Unsalted Butter (cut into small pieces)
- 0.5 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes (adjust heat to taste)
- 1 large Yellow Onion (finely diced)
- 6 cloves Garlic (minced)
- 2 teaspoons Italian Seasoning (divided)
- 28 ounces Crushed Tomatoes (canned, no added salt preferred)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black Pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon Garlic Powder (optional)
- 0.5 teaspoon Onion Powder (optional)
- 1 cup Heavy Cream (full‑fat)
- 0.25 cup Parmesan Cheese (shaker or freshly grated)
- 2 tablespoons Fresh Basil or Parsley (chopped, optional garnish)
- 12 ounces Pasta (penne or similar) (cooked al dente)
Instructions
Heat Oil, Butter, and Pepper Flakes
Place the large skillet over medium heat, add 2 tbsp olive oil, 1.5 tbsp butter, and ½ tsp red pepper flakes. Stir until the butter melts and the mixture is fragrant.
Time: PT2M
Temperature: medium
Sauté Onion
Add the diced onion to the skillet and sauté, stirring frequently, until the onion becomes translucent and soft.
Time: PT5M
Temperature: medium
Add Garlic
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute, just until fragrant.
Time: PT1M
Temperature: medium
Bloom Italian Seasoning
Sprinkle 1 tsp of the Italian seasoning over the onion‑garlic mixture and stir for 2 minutes to let the herbs release their aroma.
Time: PT2M
Temperature: medium
Add Crushed Tomatoes and Simmer
Pour in the 28‑oz can of crushed tomatoes, season with salt and pepper to taste, and stir. Reduce heat to medium‑low and let the sauce simmer uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Time: PT20M
Temperature: medium-low
Season Further
Add ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp onion powder, and the remaining 1 tsp Italian seasoning. Stir to combine.
Time: PT1M
Incorporate Heavy Cream
Stir in 1 cup of heavy cream, mixing thoroughly. Continue to simmer on medium‑low for another 25 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and turn a pink hue.
Time: PT25M
Temperature: medium-low
Finish with Parmesan
Add ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until fully melted and incorporated.
Time: PT1M
Add Fresh Herbs
Remove the skillet from heat and fold in 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil or parsley.
Time: PT1M
Cook Pasta and Combine
While the sauce is finishing, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, cook 12 oz pasta until al dente, reserve ½ cup pasta water, drain, and toss the pasta into the sauce. Mix well, adding reserved water if needed to reach desired consistency.
Time: PT10M
Temperature: boiling
Nutrition Facts
- Calories
- 350
- Protein
- 12g
- Carbohydrates
- 45g
- Fat
- 12g
- Fiber
- 4g
Dietary info: Vegetarian, Can be made gluten‑free with gluten‑free pasta, Can be made dairy‑free using coconut cream and nutritional yeast
Allergens: Dairy, Gluten
Last updated: April 14, 2026








