Irresistible Red Sauce Pasta Recipe: Quick & Easy Weeknight Meal

Introduction

Discover how to create a simple yet incredibly delicious red sauce pasta recipe that’s perfect for any night of the week. This dish combines convenience with homemade flavor, making it an ideal choice for busy parents and beginners alike. You’ll love its rich, creamy texture and vibrant taste, bringing a touch of comfort to your table in no time. Get ready to enjoy a satisfying meal that everyone will adore.

Why You’ll Love This Red Sauce Pasta

This fantastic red sauce pasta recipe quickly becomes a family favorite for many reasons:

• Lightning Fast: Get dinner on the table in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy schedules.
• Pantry Friendly: Craft this flavorful pasta from scratch using everyday ingredients you likely already have.
• Irresistibly Delicious: Enjoy a wonderfully silky and flavorful sauce that pleases even the pickiest eaters.
• Highly Adaptable: Easily customize the sauce with your favorite herbs, spices, or vegetables to suit any preference.
• Versatile Comfort: Serve it as a quick main dish or a delightful side, fitting seamlessly into various meal plans.

Ingredients for Red Sauce Pasta

Gather these simple ingredients to create your next favorite red sauce pasta recipe:

• 8 ounces uncooked pasta: Choose your favorite shape like penne, spaghetti, or rotini.
• 2 tablespoons butter: Essential for sautéing our aromatics and building a rich base.
• 2-3 cloves garlic: Minced, this provides an essential aromatic depth to the sauce.
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste: This intensifies the tomato flavor, adding complexity. Understanding the culinary role of ingredients like tomato paste can elevate your cooking, as it provides a concentrated tomato flavor without adding excess liquid.
• 1 (14 ounce) can tomato sauce: Forms the robust base for our vibrant red sauce.
• 3/4 cup heavy/whipping cream: Creates a wonderfully luscious and creamy texture.
• 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning: A classic herb blend that adds authentic Italian flavor.
• Salt & pepper to taste: Season generously to perfectly balance all the flavors.
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese: For serving, adding a final savory, cheesy touch.

Notes & Substitutions

• Tomato Sauce: If you’re in the UK, look for tomato passata as a similar alternative.
• Heavy Cream: Stick to full-fat heavy cream. Low-fat dairy products may curdle when heated, altering the texture of your sauce.
• Herbs: Feel free to experiment with other dried herbs like oregano or add fresh basil at the end for a brighter flavor.
• Spice: For a little heat, stir in a pinch of red pepper flakes with the tomato paste.

Equipment Needed

Making this delicious red sauce pasta doesn’t require many special tools. You’ll just need:

• A large pot for cooking your pasta.
• A large skillet or Dutch oven for preparing the sauce.
• A garlic press (optional, but handy for quick mincing).
• Standard measuring cups and spoons.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Creating this simple red sauce pasta recipe is a breeze. Follow these steps for a perfect, quick weeknight meal. This method ensures maximum flavor with minimal effort, making dinner stress-free and delicious.

1. Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add your chosen pasta and cook it until it reaches an al dente stage, meaning it has a slight bite. Follow the package instructions for exact timing. Before draining, remember to reserve about ½ cup of the starchy pasta water; it’s a secret weapon for perfect sauce consistency.

2. Start Sauce: While your pasta is cooking, place a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the butter to the skillet and allow it to melt completely. The butter creates a wonderful base for our aromatics and helps carry the flavors.

3. Sauté Aromatics: Once the butter is melted and shimmering, add your minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté the garlic for about one minute, stirring constantly, until it becomes fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as this can make it bitter.

4. Build Flavor: Stir in the tomato paste. Cook it for another minute, stirring continuously. Cooking the tomato paste briefly helps to deepen its flavor and remove any raw taste, intensifying the overall tomato richness of your sauce.

5. Add Liquids: Pour in the canned tomato sauce and the heavy cream. Stir everything together well until the mixture is nice and smooth, creating a beautiful orange-pink hue.

6. Simmer Sauce: Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let it cook for about 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sauce will thicken slightly as it simmers, developing its rich texture.

7. Season: Season the sauce generously with salt and pepper to taste. Don’t be shy here; proper seasoning enhances all the other flavors. If you find the sauce tastes a little too acidic or tangy, stir in a small pinch of sugar to balance it out.

8. Combine: Drain your cooked pasta. Transfer the drained pasta directly into the skillet with the sauce. Toss the pasta thoroughly with the sauce, ensuring every strand is coated. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency.

9. Serve: Dish out your irresistible red sauce pasta immediately. Garnish generously with freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the top for an extra burst of savory flavor.

Pro Tips for the Best Red Sauce Pasta

Enhance your red sauce pasta recipe with these simple pro tips for an even better dining experience.

• Al Dente Pasta: Always cook your pasta to al dente. Beyond texture, there are several culinary and nutritional benefits of cooking pasta al dente that enhance the overall dish. This ensures it holds its shape and provides a satisfying texture that stands up well to the rich sauce.
• Pasta Water Power: That starchy pasta water is liquid gold. Reserve some before draining; it’s perfect for thinning your sauce to the ideal consistency and helping it cling to the pasta.
• Balance Acidity: Tomatoes can be quite acidic. A small pinch of sugar in the sauce helps to balance the tartness, bringing out the natural sweetness of the tomatoes.
• Quality Ingredients: The flavor of your sauce heavily relies on your ingredients. Opt for good quality canned tomatoes for the best depth and richness in your red sauce.

Serving Suggestions, Storage, and Variations

This versatile red sauce pasta recipe offers endless possibilities for serving and customization.

• Serving Suggestions:
  • Complete your meal with a crisp Caesar or simple Italian salad.
  • Serve alongside warm, crusty garlic bread for dipping into the delicious sauce.
  • Add grilled chicken breast, sautéed shrimp, or savory Italian sausage for a heartier meal.
• Storage:
  • Store any leftover red sauce pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
  • For the best texture, if you anticipate leftovers, consider storing the sauce and pasta separately.
• Reheating:
  • Gently reheat leftovers on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce.
• Variations:
  • Protein Boost: Stir in cooked ground beef, turkey, shredded chicken, or plant-based protein like chickpeas or lentils.
  • Veggies: Fold in sautéed spinach, sliced mushrooms, roasted bell peppers, or zucchini for extra nutrients and flavor.
  • Spice It Up: Incorporate extra red pepper flakes into the sauce for a more pronounced kick.

Nutrition Information

This red sauce pasta recipe offers a satisfying meal. Nutritional values are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and serving sizes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Can I use canned diced tomatoes instead of tomato sauce? Yes, you can! For this red sauce pasta recipe, blend the diced tomatoes first to achieve a smoother sauce consistency similar to canned tomato sauce.

• Is this recipe suitable for meal prepping? Absolutely. This red sauce pasta works wonderfully for meal prep. You can prepare the sauce ahead of time and cook the pasta just before serving, or store them together.

• How can I make the sauce thicker or thinner? To thicken the sauce, let it simmer a bit longer. To thin it, gradually stir in some of the reserved pasta water or a splash of chicken or vegetable broth.

• What kind of pasta works best with this sauce? Almost any pasta shape works well! Short, sturdy shapes like penne, rigatoni, or rotini are excellent for holding the creamy sauce. Long pastas like spaghetti or fettuccine are also delicious.

Conclusion

This easy and irresistible red sauce pasta recipe proves that delicious, homemade meals don’t require hours in the kitchen. With its simple ingredients and straightforward steps, it’s the perfect solution for busy weeknights or when you crave comforting, flavorful food. Don’t hesitate to make this versatile dish your go-to. We encourage you to try this recipe and share your wonderful creations with us!