This healthier Pasta With Pink Sauce is a lighter take on the classic pink sauce pasta, but made with a creamy blend of tomato paste and a touch of cashew cream for richness without the heaviness. Tossed with your favorite pasta and lean protein, or add some extra veggies, it's a balanced meal that feels indulgent but fuels your body. A great option for busy weeknights, it's comforting, flavorful, and ready in under 30 minutes.
Whether you call this pink pasta sauce or pasta with rose sauce, either way, you will want to make this perfect sauce every week. It has a velvety texture with a balanced flavor that my family is now calling one of their favorite pasta recipes. With just a handful of pantry ingredients, this creamy pasta recipe comes together with the perfect balance and will have everyone asking for seconds.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy - It comes together fast with just a few, simple ingredients, making it ideal for busy weeknights without sacrificing flavor or nutrients.
- Kid- and Crowd-Friendly - Its mild, creamy flavor appeals to a wide range of palates, making it a great pasta recipe for family dinners or entertaining.
- Creamy and Comforting - The blend of tomato and cream creates a rich, velvety sauce that's both cozy and satisfying.
- Balanced Flavor - It combines the bright acidity of tomato sauce with the mellow richness of cashew cream for a perfectly balanced taste that leaves you feeling energized.
Ingredients You Will Need
Pasta: For this recipe, any pasta will do. I love using rigatoni or penne pasta, and I use the 365 Brand because it has very minimal ingredients. Whether you like gluten-free pasta, veggie pasta, or another shape, they will be equally as delicious!
Olive Oil: It is crucial to obtain high-quality olive oil that is 100% pure and single-origin. The food industry likes to cut corners when it comes to oils, so be sure you check your labels.
Ground Chicken: a lean source of protein, rich in essential nutrients like vitamin B6, niacin, and phosphorus, supporting muscle growth and overall health. Its mild flavor makes it a versatile base, easily absorbing spices and herbs to complement a variety of dishes.
Yellow Onions: are full of antioxidants that help fight inflammation. They also have folate, manganese, and some vitamin C. They are antibacterial, help digestion (for some), and can help reduce your risk of cancer.
Butter: has a rich, creamy flavor with slightly sweet and savory notes that enhance both sweet and savory dishes. I always prefer to look for grass-fed butter to get the most nutrients possible
Cashews: have essential minerals like magnesium and copper. They can help support heart health by reducing bad cholesterol levels, promoting bone health, and aiding in the maintenance of healthy blood pressure, making them a valuable addition to a balanced diet.
Almond Milk: is a dairy-free alternative made from ground almonds and water, typically fortified with vitamins and minerals like calcium and vitamin D. It's low in calories and saturated fat, while offering a creamy texture and a subtle nutty flavor.
Tomato Paste: is a concentrated source of tomatoes. It contains lycopene, an antioxidant known for its potential role in reducing the risk of certain cancers and promoting heart health. Additionally, it contains nutrients to support immune function and skin health, making it a nutritious addition to various dishes. I use this instead of red sauce or marinara sauce in this recipe because I can control the flavoring, and it is so much cheaper.
Parmesan Cheese: Has a rich, nutty, and umami-packed flavor with a slightly salty and tangy finish. It is high in protein, a source of probiotics, and low in lactose, too!
Garlic: is known for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It helps fight many diseases like the common cold, heart disease, and others.
Italian Seasoning: Italian seasoning is typically a mix of thyme, rosemary, basil, oregano, and marjoram. With all these spices, it has tons of flavor and lots of health benefits because each herb has its own healthy properties! I also really like Primal Palate Amore Seasoning.
Red Pepper Flakes: are a concentrated source of heat due to the presence of capsaicin, the compound responsible for the spicy sensation. They also provide a modest amount of vitamin A, which is essential for eye health and immune function. Additionally, the capsaicin in red pepper flakes has been associated with various health benefits, including potential pain relief and metabolism-boosting effects.
Fresh Basil (optional): has a bright, sweet, and slightly peppery flavor with hints of anise and mint, making it a versatile herb in both savory and sweet dishes. Nutritionally, basil is low in calories and rich in antioxidants, vitamin K, and essential oils that may have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
Recipe Variations
- Heavy Cream or Whole Milk: 1.5 cups of heavy cream can be substituted for the cashew cream sauce.
- Coconut milk: This can also be used instead of almond milk.
- Pasta: Although I like rigatoni best for this recipe, any pasta shape or kind will do! Feel free to use gluten-free or veggie noodles, too.
- Crushed Tomatoes: These can be substituted for the tomato paste to add some texture to the pasta sauce.
- Extra Veggies: I love adding extra veggies to this meal that I have on hand for some extra nutrients. I saute mushrooms, spinach, broccoli, or zucchini and add them right to the pasta.
Instructions
- Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the pasta according to the cooking time on the package. Be sure to only cook it to al dente so it can soak up all the flavorful pink sauce.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium heat and add olive oil, along with ground chicken. Cook the chicken all the way through, then remove it from the pan.
- Add butter, diced yellow onions, and minced garlic to the pan and saute for 2-4 minutes. Then add Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper to the pan.
- While the onions and garlic are sautéing, in a high-speed blender, add cashews, 1 tablespoon olive oil, almond milk, a clove of garlic, salt, and pepper. Blend this mixture until smooth.
- Add the cashew cream, tomato pasta, and ½ cup of pasta water to the skillet and mix until combined. Then add the Parmesan cheese to the pan and stir that in.
- Add the cooked pasta, add it to the skillet with the sauce, as well as the ground chicken. Mix until the pasta is evenly coated. Adding ½ cup of pasta water at a time until the sauce is the perfect consistency.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Pasta Water: Be sure to save about 2 or 3 cups of pasta water to get the sauce to the consistency of your choice.
Storage Tips
This Pasta With Pink Sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also freeze the sauce in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.
What To Serve It With
- Salads: Wedge salad, Dairy-free Caesar Salad, any simple salad
- Sides: Roasted Broccoli, Air-fried Asparagus
- Protein: Ground chicken, spicy Italian sausage, grilled chicken
Other Recipes Like This
Dairy-free Alfredo Sauce, Veggie Packed Pasta Sauce, Butternut Squash Pasta Sauce, Greek Pasta Salad
FAQs About Pasta With Pink Sauce
Absolutely! If heavy cream is what you have on hand or prefer, you can definitely use that instead.
Yes! You can use any shape or kind of pasta you like- gluten-free, veggie, macaroni, spaghetti, etc.
Did you make this recipe?! If so, do me a huge favor and leave me a review and a rating below! This helps my small business continue providing free recipes.
Pasta With Pink Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 Box Pasta
- 1 lbs Ground Chicken or ground turkey
- ½ Yellow Onion
- 2 tablespoon Olive oil
- 3 cloves Garlic minced
- 1.5 cup Cashews
- .75 cup Almond milk
- 1 tablespoon Butter
- 2 tablespoon Tomato paste
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon Red pepper flakes
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil optional
Instructions
- Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the pasta according to the cooking time on the package. Be sure to only cook it to al dente so it can soak up all the flavorful pink sauce.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium heat and add olive oil, along with ground chicken. Cook the chicken all the way through, then remove it from the pan.
- Add butter, diced yellow onions, and minced garlic to the pan and saute for 2-4 minutes. Then add Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper to the pan.
- While the onions and garlic are sautéing, in a high-speed blender, add cashews, 1 tablespoon olive oil, almond milk, a clove of garlic, salt, and pepper. Blend this mixture until smooth.
- Add the cashew cream, tomato pasta, and ½ cup of pasta water to the skillet and mix until combined. Then add the Parmesan cheese to the pan and stir that in. If the sauce starts to stick to the bottom of the pan, add another ½ cup of pasta water to the pan.
- Add the cooked pasta, add it to the skillet with the sauce, as well as the ground chicken. Mix until the pasta is evenly coated. Adding ½ cup of pasta water at a time until the sauce is the perfect consistency.
- Optional: top with fresh basil, more Parmesan, and some red chili flakes, and enjoy!
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