This recipe for Rosé Pasta Sauce is one of my favorite pasta sauces. It’s utterly creamy, so flavorful with a strong tomato taste that’s softened with heavy cream and parmesan cheese. It’s a life-saving recipe due to its simplicity, but restaurant-grade!
We have many more delicious pasta sauces tested for you to try: Sausage Pepper Pasta, Easy Pasta Sauce and Ground Beef Stroganoff. All of them are quick, easy and delicious!! Or if you are into a gorgeous all day bubbling sauce then try our Sunday Sauce.
This sauce comes together with simple, easy-to-find ingredients like tomato passata, garlic, onion, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese. That’s exactly why it’s so popular: it’s quick, comforting, and perfect for any weeknight meal.
Why I Love This Recipe
- My father loved a Rosé Sauce, brings back memories
- Great vegetarian meal
- Bursting with amazing flavors
- Easy to make
- Easy to find ingredients
Helpful Items For This Recipe
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KitchenAid Gourmet 4-Sided Stainless Steel Box Grater with Detachable Storage Container
Ingredients to make this Recipe
This sauce is also called Pink Sauce or Rosé Sauce without the accent. Whatever you call it is amazingly delicious.
Recipe Ingredients
Olive oil and butter – It’s the base to saute the veggies; we love to include both as each adds its particular flavor to the equation, but you can opt for just olive oil if desired. Don’t use only butter as it burns.
Yellow onion – Adds a fragrant base to the tomato sauce. You can swap it with red onion for a milder taste.
Tomato paste – It brings up bold tomato flavor; I always use it in this type of sauce, and it makes a difference.
Garlic cloves – They provide a fragrant note, always needed in this kind of sauce.
Dried oregano – It adds a herbal, slightly sweet hint, and it’s my go-to for tomato-based sauces.
Crushed red pepper flakes – They add a light spice kick, so subtle it’s not hot at all. Don’t use red chili flakes, or it will be spicy indeed.
Tomato passata – You can swap it with crushed tomato, as it will be blended in the end. Use whatever suits you best.
Sugar – We use just a pinch, and it’s good to reduce tomato acidity.
Kosher salt and black pepper – Add them to taste.
Heavy cream and parmesan cheese – These are the stars of the rosé sauce. They make the difference to any regular tomato sauce, providing a creamy, velvety texture and lots of flavor.
Fresh basil – Add it just before serving; it provides a delightful aroma to the dish.
Penne pasta – Penne was our choice this time, but any short pasta will work just right!
How to make Rosé Pasta Sauce from scratch
Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook for 5 minutes until soft and translucent. Stir in garlic, tomato paste, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Cook 30 seconds.
Add passata, salt, pepper, and sugar if needed. Simmer uncovered 10 minutes to thicken and deepen flavor.
Reduce heat to low. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan until smooth and glossy. Optional: for an extra silky sauce, blend it with a hand mixer until completely smooth.
Add al dente penne and a splash of pasta water if needed to loosen. Toss until well coated and creamy.
Top with Parmesan, basil, and a drizzle of olive oil.
Recipe Pro Tips
Is Rosé Pasta Sauce spicy?
Not at all. Rosé pasta sauce is a flavorful tomato sauce mixed with heavy cream and Parmesan cheese.
Is Rosé Pasta Sauce gluten-free?
Yes, this is a gluten-free pasta sauce. Just remember to use gluten-free pasta to serve.
Refrigerating Rosé Sauce
- Allow the sauce to cool completely before storing.
- Transfer it to an airtight container.
- Store in the refrigerator for 3–4 days.
- Stir well when reheating, as the cream may separate slightly.
Freezing Rosé Pasta Sauce
Rosé sauce can be frozen, but because it contains cream, the texture may change slightly.
- Let the sauce cool completely.
- Store in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag.
- Freeze for up to 2–3 months.
- Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating Tips
- Reheat gently over low heat on the stovetop.
- Stir frequently to keep the sauce smooth.
- If it looks too thick, add a splash of milk, cream, or pasta water to bring it back to a silky consistency.
Pro Tip
If you plan to freeze the sauce, consider freezing the tomato base first and adding the cream later when reheating for the best texture.
Properly stored, your homemade rosé pasta sauce will stay rich, creamy, and ready for another delicious pasta night.
Rosé Pasta Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 small yellow onion finely diced
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4-1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 cups tomato passata
- 1/2 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp kosher salt + more to taste
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese grated
- Fresh basil to serve
- 12 oz penne pasta
Instructions
- Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook for 5 minutes until soft and translucent. Stir in garlic, tomato paste, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Cook 30 seconds.
- Add passata, salt, pepper, and sugar if needed. Simmer uncovered 10 minutes to thicken and deepen flavor.
- Reduce the heat to low. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan until smooth and glossy. Optional: for an extra silky sauce, blend it with a hand mixer until completely smooth.
- Add al dente penne and a splash of pasta water if needed to loosen. Toss until well coated and creamy.
- Top with Parmesan, basil, and a drizzle of olive oil.
Comments & Reviews
Pamela Hawe says
How much oregano?
Tara Noland says
Sorry for the omission. It is 1 tsp. oregano. I will add that right now.
Pamela Hawe says
Thanks! That’s what I guessed. It was terrific!
Tara Noland says
Yes, I think we nailed that one as it is restaurant quality to me!!