Pink Sauce Pasta

Ingredients

• 250 g Pasta (penne or fusilli) (short pasta works best, cooked al‑dente)
• 200 g Fresh Spinach (washed, boiled briefly)
• 4 pcs Tomatoes (medium, blanched and peeled)
• 4 pcs Garlic Cloves (minced)
• 1 medium Onion (finely chopped)
• 1/2 cup Sweet Corn Kernels (frozen or canned, drained)
• 1 medium Capsicum (Bell Pepper) (diced, any colour)
• 2 tbsp Tomato Ketchup (adds slight sweetness)
• 1/4 cup Water (adjust sauce consistency)
• 1 tsp Red Chili Powder (adjust to heat preference)
• 1/2 tsp Black Pepper Powder
• 1 tsp Chili Flakes
• 1 tsp Dried Oregano
• 2 tbsp Unsalted Butter (for white sauce)
• 1 tbsp All-Purpose Flour (for roux)
• 1 cup Milk (whole or 2% works best)
• 2 slices Cheese Slice (any meltable cheese, grated if preferred)
• 4 tbsp Vegetable Oil (2 tbsp for boiling pasta, 2 tbsp for sauces)
• to taste Salt

Instructions

1. Boil Spinach

   Bring a pot of water to a boil, add a pinch of salt and a splash of oil, then add the spinach. Cook 2‑3 minutes until wilted, drain and set aside.

   Time: PT5M

   Temperature: boiling

2. Cook Pasta

   In a large pot of boiling salted water, add 2 tbsp oil and the pasta. Cook 10‑12 minutes until al‑dente, then drain and rinse briefly with cold water to stop cooking.

   Time: PT12M

   Temperature: boiling

3. Prepare Tomato Puree

   Blanch the tomatoes in boiling water for 1 minute, transfer to ice water, peel, and blend into a smooth puree.

   Time: PT8M

4. Make Spicy Tomato Sauce

   Heat 2 tbsp oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté 30 seconds, then add chopped onion and cook until translucent (2 minutes). Stir in the tomato puree, red chili powder, black pepper, chili flakes, and oregano. Simmer 2 minutes, then add ketchup and water. Finally, add sweet corn and diced capsicum and cook another 2 minutes.

   Time: PT8M

   Temperature: medium heat

5. Prepare White (Cheese) Sauce

   Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Sprinkle flour and whisk continuously for 2 minutes until lightly golden. Gradually pour in milk while whisking to prevent lumps. Cook 4 minutes until the sauce thickens, then add cheese slices, oregano, and chili flakes. Stir until the cheese melts and the sauce is smooth.

   Time: PT7M

   Temperature: medium heat

6. Combine and Finish

   Pour the white sauce into the tomato sauce, mixing well. Add the boiled pasta, spinach, and toss everything together until evenly coated. Garnish with a pinch of extra oregano or chili flakes if desired.

   Time: PT5M

   Temperature: medium heat

Nutrition Facts

Calories

450

Protein

12 g

Carbohydrates

70 g

Fat

12 g

Fiber

5 g