Description
A cheerful and creamy pink pasta dish perfect for a family celebration or a cozy dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces spaghetti or your favorite pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 small shallot, minced
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/2 cup crushed tomatoes or passata
- 1/2 to 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Pinch red pepper flakes, optional
- 2 tablespoons reserved pasta water
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice, optional
- Fresh basil leaves or chopped parsley to finish
- 1 small cooked beet, pureed into a tablespoon of water (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil and salt it well. Add the spaghetti and cook until just shy of al dente, reserving 2 tablespoons of pasta water before draining.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add olive oil and butter. Cook minced shallot until translucent and sweet.
- Add the chopped garlic and cook for 30 to 45 seconds until fragrant.
- Spoon in the tomato paste and let it toast for a minute or two, stirring until it darkens slightly.
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes or passata, add sugar and salt, then let the sauce simmer gently for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Lower the heat, pour in the heavy cream while stirring, and watch the color shift to a soft pink.
- Add grated Parmesan and stir until melted. Taste and season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Add the reserved pasta water if needed, then fold in beet puree if using.
- Add the drained pasta to the sauce and toss to coat.
- Serve hot with fresh basil or parsley and additional Parmesan on top.
Notes
For a deeper pink color, add beet puree. Adjust seasoning and flavor with lemon juice or red pepper flakes as desired.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 30mg