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My Pink Pasta Sauce is the ultimate pasta sauce, and I guarantee it will be your new favorite! Pink sauce pasta is the perfect blend of creamy and cheesy, with delectable bites of sausage, that makes it the best dinner pasta recipe. Ready in 15 minutes using simple ingredients.
This post is sponsored by Mueller’s® Pasta and all opinions are my own.
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Best Pink Pasta Recipe Ever
I have been making this pink pasta recipe for years now for my family. It’s one of my favorite Sunday pasta recipes to make, and everyone loves it. My kids especially love it!
This was their favorite meal during football season…. so easy to make, quick and amazingly delicious. I can’t even count how many times I’ve been asked for the recipe!
The creamy Parmesan sauce and beautiful presentation make this a show-stopping pink pasta recipe I love to share with everyone. When you set this dish down on the table, I guarantee you’ll hear a few “Wow!”s.
One of my favorite things about this dish is you can change it up how you like, from using different varieties of pasta, to switching out the sausage for another protein, to adding extra veggies.
I know you’re going to love my pink sauce pasta! Let me know how you make yours in the comments below, and leave a rating. I love to hear from you!
Absolutely delicious!!
Stacy on Pinterest
FAQs
Pink sauce is a blend of cream and tomato sauce. My pink sauce pasta uses olive oil, garlic, tomato sauce, chicken stock, half & half, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper, and a little parsley for garnish!
Mueller’s® Elbow Macaroni is a perfect choice for pairing with pink pasta sauce. The shape of the elbow macaroni cradles the sauce perfectly, so you get the most out of every bite, and the pasta itself has a delectable texture that pairs so well with it. No matter the occasion, Mueller’s® Pasta has the perfect pasta for your meal. Its versatility brings inspiration to your kitchen, helping you make a meal you’re proud to serve! For a cheesy pasta recipe like this one, definitely use Mueller’s® Elbow Macaroni!
Use Parmesan cheese to make pink pasta sauce. The creamy texture and mild flavor of Parmesan make it a perfect choice for a creamy tomato sauce like this dish.
Pink pasta can be made up to 5 days in advance stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Reheat pink pasta over the stove on low heat with just a small amount of water or chicken broth added. Stir occasionally. Or, reheat in the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes until heated through, with a little bit of water to help it reach its original consistency.
Variations
- Try mixing in greens, like spinach or arugula.
- I love using sausage in this dish, but you can also use leftover ham. This dish makes an amazing pasta with ham and tomato sauce!
How to Make Pink Sauce Pasta
- Cook a 16 oz. box of Mueller’s Elbow Macaroni until it is just slightly al dente. Drain, and set aside.
- Heat butter in a skillet and saute garlic until fragrant; then, add sausage and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks.
- Add tomato sauce and mix through. Simmer until it thickens, then lower the heat and gradually add half & half.
- Let it simmer, then add in the elbow macaroni.
- Mix through, add Parmesan cheese, mix again, and add more cheese. Top with parsley and extra cheese if desired. Serve and enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- Cook your pasta until it is just slightly underdone. It will cook more when you add it to the sauce.
- Add half & half gradually and very carefully to the pan, only after lowering the heat. If you add it too quickly, it may curdle. You should always add dairy slowly.
- Break up any chunks of Parmesan as you add it to the sauce, and remember to add this slowly, as well.
- Try using Leftover Ham.
What to Serve with Pink Pasta
Sunday Pasta Recipes
Try more of my favorite pasta recipes for dinner:
- Creamy Mushroom Pasta Sauce
- Thai Drunken Noodles
- Bacon Mac and Cheese
- Pasta Carbonara Recipe
- One Pot Spaghetti
- Fettuccine Alfredo
Make this dish with one of the gifts in our Gift Guide for Foodies! Plus, pink pasta sauce makes a great vacation recipe! Try more of my Easy Vacation Meals for ideas of what you can make while on vacation.
📋 Recipe
Pink Pasta Sauce with Sausage
Equipment
- Colander
- Large pot
- Wooden spoon
Ingredients
- 1 pound Mueller’s® elbow macaroni cooked; 16 oz. box
- 4 Tablespoons butter ½ stick
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic or garlic paste
- 1 pound Italian sausage mild or spicy; or, 2 cups diced ham
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 1 cup half & half
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese
- salt & pepper to taste
- parsley for garnish (optional)
See our Cooking Conversions Chart for help converting measurements!
Instructions
- Cook Mueller’s® pasta according to package directions.
- Add half stick of butter to skillet and melt.4 Tablespoons butter
- Add 2 teaspoons of garlic and cook until the garlic is lightly browned. Be careful not to overcook it.2 teaspoons minced garlic
- Add the Italian sausage. Using a wooden spoon, break up the pieces of sausage and brown the sausage on medium-high. Make sure the sausage is broken up into tiny pieces.1 pound Italian sausage
- Once sausage is nicely browned, add 2 cups of tomato sauce and stir until well blended.2 cups tomato sauce
- Add half & half and stir well. Simmer for 5 minutes until the sauces is well blended.1 cup half & half
- Add the cooked Mueller’s® elbow pasta.1 pound Mueller’s® elbow macaroni
- Add the Parmesan cheese and mix well.1 cup Parmesan cheese
- Stir, stir, stir, until well-blended! Top with Parsley if desired. Enjoy!salt & pepper, parsley
Video
Notes
- Cook your pasta until it is just slightly underdone. It will cook more when you add it to the sauce.
- Add half & half gradually and very carefully to the pan, only after lowering the heat. If you add it too quickly, it may curdle. You should always add dairy slowly.
- Break up any chunks of Parmesan as you add it to the sauce, and remember to add this slowly, as well.
- Did you try this recipe? Tag #SundaySupper on social and leave a comment below!
@muellerspasta
Jacqueline Debono says
I also love orecchiette! Such a great pasta for chunky sauces. In Puglia, where it comes from, I’ve had it with small meatballs and tomato sauce. Very good! Your creamy tomato sauce looks good too. Going to add to my to make list!
Em Beitel says
Jacqueline, that sounds delicious! Totally agreed- orecchiette is perfect for sauces like this. I enjoyed it so much, I want to try it with other pasta dishes, too. Maybe I’ll have to try it with just meatballs and tomato sauce!
Nilha Pearce says
I made this dish tonight for dinner. I drained off some of the fat from the sausage and threw in some shredded basil at the last minute. I also added more basil to the parsley for garnish. My husband and I both enjoyed it thoroughly.
Thank you for a delicious dish!
Isabel Laessig says
That is so wonderful to hear, Nilha! I’m so glad you both enjoyed it!
Marlynn @UrbanBlissLife says
I love this pasta recipe! I’ve never heard of it referred to as pink pasta before, but oh the flavors in this recipe are so rich and delicious.
Em Beitel says
Thanks so much, Marlynn! This is one of my favorites.
Tawnie Kroll says
My new favorite pasta, so easy to make too! Thank you!!
Em Beitel says
Thanks so much, Tawnie!
Cathleen @ A Taste of Madness says
It’s funny. I thought that I knew all the different types of pasta, but somehow there seems to be so many types I have never heard of. Definitely want to try this!!
Em Beitel says
I am always amazed by just how many kinds of pasta there are and everything you can do with it! Thank you so much for your lovely comment. It’s a delicious dish!
Pam Greer says
I have been saving some leftover ham and now I know what to do with it!! I love how creamy this is!
Em Beitel says
Perfect! Thanks so much, Pam!