Pink Pasta Sauce Recipe

The Perfect Creamy Red Sauce – A Delicious Blend of Tomato and Cream!

Recipe Review

If you ever find yourself torn between a classic red sauce and a rich white sauce, this creamy red sauce is the perfect solution! It combines the best of both worlds with a smooth, velvety texture and a burst of tomato flavor. The addition of Italian sausage and Parmesan cheese takes it to the next level. This dish is not only quick and easy but also my current favorite for a cozy weeknight dinner. The balance of savory, creamy, and tangy flavors will satisfy any craving!

Recipe Tips and Notes

• Consistency Adjustments: If the sauce becomes too thick, you can thin it out with a splash of reserved pasta water or additional chicken stock.
• Cooking with Tomato Paste: Make sure to cook the tomato paste for a couple of minutes to avoid any raw tomato taste. This step also helps to enhance its natural sweetness.
• Extra Creamy: If you like your sauce extra creamy, feel free to increase the amount of heavy cream or even add a tablespoon of cream cheese to the sauce for a rich, velvety texture.

Possible Additions or Variations

• Veggie Boost: You can add other vegetables like spinach, bell peppers, or zucchini. Just sauté them with the onions and mushrooms to add more flavor and color to the dish.
• Spicy Kick: If you like extra heat, consider adding more crushed red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce to give the dish a spicier twist.
• Herbs: Fresh herbs like basil, parsley, or oregano can be added at the end for a burst of fresh flavor. Fresh basil, in particular, works beautifully with creamy tomato sauces.
• Cheese: For an even richer dish, you can stir in Mozzarella or Fontina cheese alongside the Parmesan, making the sauce even creamier and cheesier.
• Protein Variations: If you don’t have Italian sausage, you can use ground beef, turkey sausage, or even chicken sausage as an alternative. Just adjust seasonings as needed.

Substitutions

• White Wine Substitution: If you prefer not to use white wine, simply increase the amount of chicken stock or substitute with vegetable stock.
• Dairy-Free Version: To make it dairy-free, substitute the heavy cream with coconut cream or a dairy-free cream alternative and use nutritional yeast in place of Parmesan for a cheesy flavor.
• Gluten-Free Option: To make this dish gluten-free, use a gluten-free pasta like rigatoni made from chickpeas, lentils, or rice.
• Low-Carb Option: Swap out the rigatoni for zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash for a low-carb twist. You can still use the same sauce and ingredients for a delicious alternative.

Why Use Rigatoni for This Dish?

Rigatoni is a fantastic choice for this recipe because its large, ridged tubes are perfect for holding onto hearty, creamy sauces like this one. The ridges help trap the sauce and bits of sausage, ensuring every bite is packed with flavor. Its sturdy shape also holds up well when tossed with a thick sauce, making it a go-to for dishes like this creamy sausage rigatoni.

Possible Pasta Alternatives:

• Penne: Another excellent option with ridges similar to rigatoni. It’s slightly smaller but will still hold onto the sauce nicely.
• Fusilli: The spiral shape of fusilli does a great job of catching sauce in its twists, giving you plenty of flavor with each bite.
• Orecchiette: This “little ear” shaped pasta cups the sauce well and pairs perfectly with chunky ingredients like sausage.
• Pappardelle or Fettuccine: If you prefer a long, flat pasta, both pappardelle and fettuccine work well. Their broad surface area lets them soak up the creamy sauce, though they won’t catch as much sauce as ridged pasta would.

When selecting a pasta, choose one with texture (like ridges or twists) that will help hold the sauce and toppings. A smooth pasta, like spaghetti, won’t capture the sauce as effectively, but can still work if that’s your preference.