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The Spruce / Cara Cormack
Nutrition Facts (per serving) | |
---|---|
667 | Calories |
46g | Fat |
52g | Carbs |
12g | Protein |
Nutrition Facts | |
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Servings: 4 | |
Amount per serving | |
Calories | 667 |
% Daily Value* | |
Total Fat 46g | 59% |
Saturated Fat 29g | 144% |
Cholesterol 173mg | 58% |
Sodium 345mg | 15% |
Total Carbohydrate 52g | 19% |
Dietary Fiber 3g | 10% |
Total Sugars 5g | |
Protein 12g | |
Vitamin C 12mg | 61% |
Calcium 154mg | 12% |
Iron 3mg | 16% |
Potassium 510mg | 11% |
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. |
This is a quick, easy-to-make, and delicate tomato-cream sauce with a pleasing, blush pink hue. It allegedly has French origins, and it's perfect for potato gnocchi or short pasta shapes. It would also pair well with many types of pasta bakes or filled pasta such as ravioli or tortellini.
This pink sauce is made with tomato sauce, heavy cream, garlic, cheese, and parsley, and takes a mere 20 minutes from start to finish. This is a great recipe for when you're in a rush or unexpected company shows up. It looks so elegant that nobody will suspect how simple it was to make.
It is also popular with kids because it's tasty and uncomplicated.
Serve with a tossed salad or crusty homemade bread, or jazz it up even further and add some baked chicken or grilled sausage on the side.
Ingredients
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1 pound (454 grams) potato gnocchi, or a short pasta shape such as penne or farfalle
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1/2 cup (118 milliliters) tomato sauce, homemade or store bought
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1 clove garlic, peeled and chopped
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1/2 cup (118 milliliters) heavy cream
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Dash sea salt, or to taste
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Dash freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
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1/4 cup (22.5 grams) freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, plus more for serving, if desired
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Chopped flat-leaf parsley, for garnish
Steps to Make It
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Gather the ingredients.
The Spruce / Cara Cormack
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Bring a large, covered pot of water to a rolling boil over high heat, salt it, and add the gnocchi, penne, or other short pasta of choice.
The Spruce / Cara Cormack
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Meanwhile, heat the tomato sauce and garlic in a large saucepan.
The Spruce / Cara Cormack
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When the tomato sauce reaches a simmer, lower the heat to low, stir in the cream, and heat through, being careful not to let the sauce burn.
The Spruce / Cara Cormack
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Season the sauce to taste with salt and pepper and remove from the heat.
The Spruce / Cara Cormack
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When the pasta or gnocchi is ready, drain it and transfer it to the saucepan.
The Spruce / Cara Cormack
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Stir to coat it in the sauce and add the freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano.
The Spruce / Cara Cormack
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Toss to coat pasta evenly.
The Spruce / Cara Cormack
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Garnish with parsley, more freshly grated cheese if desired, and serve immediately.
The Spruce / Cara Cormack
Tip
Your pasta should be cooked just to al dente so it is firm and not soggy.
Recipe Variations
- For a milder sauce, use onions in place of garlic.
- For a more piquant, somewhat spicy sauce, you can add a pinch of crushed dried red chile peppers (peperoncini) to the tomato sauce when simmering it with the garlic.
- Top with a few fresh basil leaves instead of parsley when serving.
- For a lighter version, use cream cheese instead of heavy cream.
- Top with mozzarella cheese instead of using Parmesan cheese, if you desire additional cheese for topping.
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