Penne Pasta in Pink Sauce

Name: Penne Pasta in Pink Sauce
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 tablespoon butter; 1 medium onion, peeled and diced, about 1 cup; 2 cloves garlic, minced, about 1 tablespoon; 1 cup chicken stock; 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes; 1 cup heavy cream; 1⁄2 teaspoon kosher salt; 1⁄4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (more if you like); 1 pound penne pasta, about 4 cups; Parmesan cheese, grated

Estate Comforts

Penne Pasta in Pink Sauce

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The Strategy:

A flawless exercise in balancing acidity and fat. The aggressive, bright acidity of the crushed tomatoes is immediately neutralized and softened by the heavy cream, resulting in a luxurious, velvety "pink" sauce. By utilizing tubular penne, the pasta physically traps the heavy sauce inside its structure, ensuring maximum saturation in every bite.

Serves: 4 to 6 | Total Time: 30 minutes till it’s ready

Ingredients

For pink sauce base and liquids

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
1 medium onion, peeled and diced, about 1 cup
2 cloves garlic, minced, about 1 tablespoon
1 cup chicken stock
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 cup heavy cream

For seasoning and serving

1⁄2 teaspoon kosher salt
1⁄4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (more if you like)
1 pound penne pasta, about 4 cups
Parmesan cheese, grated

Overhead prep shot of penne pasta, olive oil, butter, diced onion, minced garlic, chicken stock, crushed tomatoes, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese on marble

Instructions

Heat the olive oil and butter in a large pot (or sauté pan) over medium heat. Stir in the onion and cook until soft and turning golden-brown, about 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook 2 minutes more.
Pour in the chicken stock. Cook until the liquid is reduced by half, about 5 minutes more.
Pour in the crushed tomatoes and heavy cream. Season with salt and crushed red pepper.
Reduce the heat to low and simmer the sauce on the stove while you cook the pasta in boiling, salted water until just al dente, about 10 minutes.
Drain the pasta through a colander, saving about 1 cup of the pasta water.
Pour the noodles into the pot with the sauce. At this point, you can add the pasta water a little at a time until the sauce is just thick enough to coat the pasta.
Cook the pasta in the sauce for 2 to 3 minutes, allowing it to absorb the flavors of the sauce.
Serve the pasta in bowls. Garnish with grated Parmesan cheese.

Extreme close-up action shot pouring starchy pasta water into a heavy cast-iron pan filled with simmering pink tomato-cream sauce and penne pasta

Thing to Note:

Pasta water is used to help you with the consistency of your sauce. It contains the starch from the pasta and is already flavored with salt. The starch acts as “glue” to help the sauce adhere to the noodles.

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The Heart of the Table

This is arguably one of the most reliable, universally beloved pasta dishes in existence. The pink sauce feels deeply indulgent and complex, yet relies on a remarkably straightforward pantry foundation. It is an ideal anchor for a busy weeknight family dinner, yet sophisticated enough to anchor an impromptu weekend dinner party.

A gorgeous single-view lifestyle photo of freshly prepared Penne Pasta in Pink Sauce.

Neighborly Grace

THE PRESENTATION: Serve immediately in wide, shallow bowls. The residual heat of the pasta will quickly absorb the remaining moisture in the sauce, so timing is critical. Use a microplane to create a blizzard of extremely fine Parmesan dust over the top just before it hits the table.
THE POUR: A chilled Italian Pinot Grigio or a bright, floral Rosé. You need a wine that is refreshing and acidic enough to counter the heavy cream, while complementing the sweet acidity of the tomatoes.
THE VIBE: Lively, energetic, and highly approachable. This is a wonderfully democratic dish that appeals equally to young children and sophisticated palates.

Chef’s Recommendations

The Bread for the Sauce: Bread Machine Basil Ricotta Bread with Parmesan Topping
The Rich Finish: Chocolate Silk Pie
The Green Course: Classic Caesar Salad
The Pink Pour: Rosé Berry Sparkler

The Estate Table

Build tonight’s menu around this dish.

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Penne Pasta in Pink Sauce

Penne Pasta in Pink Sauce

The full recipe lives in the Vault

The Heart of the Table

Neighborly Grace

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