Pink Sauce Rigatoni Pasta
Want to add a splash of color and taste to your dinner table? Try our mouthwatering Pink Sauce Rigatoni Pasta for an amazing pasta experience.
Ingredients
- 16 ounces rigatoni pasta
- 3 tablespoons olive oil or butter
- 1 small sweet yellow onion diced
- 32 ounces Prego traditional Italian pasta sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon basil seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper or to taste (optional)
- ½ cup finely shredded Parmesan for garnish (optional)
- fresh basil for serving (optional)
Instructions
Cook Rigatoni Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add the rigatoni pasta to the boiling water and cook according to the package instructions until al dente.
- Drain the cooked pasta and set aside.
Prepare the Creamy Sauce
- In a large skillet or saucepan, heat the olive oil or butter over medium heat.
- Add the diced onion and sauté until it becomes translucent and soft, about 3-4 minutes.
- Pour the Prego traditional Italian pasta sauce into the skillet with the sautéed onions.
- Stir in the salt, garlic powder, oregano, Italian seasoning, basil seasoning, black pepper, and crushed red pepper if using.
- Allow the sauce to simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Incorporate the Heavy Cream
- Lower the heat to medium-low, and slowly pour in the heavy cream while stirring continuously to incorporate it into the sauce.
- Simmer the sauce for an additional 5 minutes, or until it thickens slightly.
- Add the cooked rigatoni pasta into the sauce, and toss gently to coat the pasta evenly with the creamy sauce.
- Let the pasta cook in the sauce for a couple of minutes so that it absorbs the flavors.
- Once the pasta is fully coated and the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency, remove the skillet from the heat.
- Garnish with finely shredded Parmesan and fresh basil leaves if desired.
- Serve the creamy rigatoni pasta hot and enjoy!
Notes
Tips:
This creamy rigatoni pasta with Italian sauce makes for a delicious and satisfying meal. Feel free to enjoy it with grilled chicken or shrimp!
Cook the rigatoni pasta until it's al dente, which means it's tender but still has a slight bite to it. Overcooked pasta can become mushy when combined with the sauce.
Taste the pink sauce as you make it and adjust the seasonings to achieve the perfect balance of creaminess and tanginess. Add a pinch of salt, pepper, and maybe a hint of sugar to enhance the flavors.
When combining the tomato sauce with the cream, add the cream gradually while stirring continuously. This will help prevent curdling and ensure a smooth and velvety sauce.
Use fresh and high-quality ingredients, especially in the tomato sauce. Fresh tomatoes, herbs, and good-quality cream or cheese can make a significant difference in the final taste.
Feel free to add your favorite ingredients to the dish. Whether it's cooked chicken, shrimp, or a medley of vegetables, adding extras can elevate the dish to new heights.