Pasta in Pink Sauce with Sausage Ragu

Dive into a bowl of comforting indulgence with this robust Pasta in Pink Sauce with Sausage Ragu. This recipe combines the bold, savory flavors of Italian sausage with a creamy, tomato-based pink sauce that’s irresistibly rich. The dish starts with tender chunks of browned sausage, perfectly balanced by aromatic garlic, onions, and crushed tomatoes simmered to perfection. A splash of heavy cream and a generous helping of grated Parmesan add velvety depth, while fresh basil brings a vibrant, herbal finish. Tossed with your favorite pasta—like penne or rigatoni—this meal is a crowd-pleaser that’s ready in under an hour, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or cozy gatherings. Serve with extra Parmesan and fresh basil for a truly restaurant-worthy touch. Keywords: creamy pink sauce, sausage ragu, pasta dinner, Italian comfort food, easy pasta recipe.

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy, as preferred)
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
• 1 pound pasta (penne, rigatoni, or your choice)
• 4 quarts water for boiling pasta
• 1 tablespoon salt for pasta water

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or sauté pan over medium heat.

Step 2

Remove the sausage from its casing (if needed) and add it to the pan. Cook the sausage, breaking it into small pieces with a wooden spoon, until browned and fully cooked, about 5–7 minutes. Remove the sausage from the pan with a slotted spoon and set aside.

Step 3

In the same pan, add the diced onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.

Step 4

Pour in the crushed tomatoes and stir to combine. Return the cooked sausage to the pan and add salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Lower heat and let the sauce simmer gently for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 5

While the sauce is simmering, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the tablespoon of salt and cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta.

Step 6

After the sausage tomato sauce has simmered, pour in the heavy cream and stir to create the pink sauce. Add the grated Parmesan cheese and stir until melted. If the sauce seems too thick, stir in a bit of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.

Step 7

Add the chopped basil to the sauce and stir. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Step 8

Toss the cooked pasta directly into the sauce, ensuring every piece is coated. If needed, add more reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce.

Step 9

Serve immediately, garnished with extra grated Parmesan and fresh basil if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(6021.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3449.3

Total Fat 234.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 101.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 586.8mg	0%
Sodium 12793.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 200.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 21.6g	0%
Total Sugars 34.7g
Protein 131.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1212.5mg	0%
Iron 13.3mg	0%
Potassium 3049.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 61.4%

Protein: 15.3%

Carbs: 23.3%