If you are looking for a super simple dinner recipe, make this Pink Sauce pasta bake. This simple recipe combines pasta with marinara sauce and alfredo sauce for a creamy flavorful sauce and then topped with mozzarella cheese. This pink sauce pasta recipe is a dinner recipe the whole family will love.
Pink Sauce Pasta Bake Recipe
Dinner can be quick easy and delicious with this pink sauce pasta recipe. With minimal prep work and cooking time, you can have this easy pasta bake on the table for dinner in about 30 minutes.
I have been making this pink sauce pasta bake for years. It has become one of my go to recipes for weeks that I know are going to be super busy. I make sure to grab a jar of tomato sauce and a jar of alfredo sauce if I know we are going to be really short on time. If I have a bit of extra time but still need a quick meal, I will make homemade alfredo sauce while using a bag of homemade sauce that I have on hand.
I like to make life easy, so when I make homemade tomato sauces, I always make a double batch so I can toss one in the freezer. It makes getting dinner on the table easier when I need pasta sauce, and homemade sauce tastes so much better than jarred. But you can use either homemade or store-bought sauces for this easy pasta with tomato cream sauce pasta bake recipe.
Pasta Recipes
What is Pink Pasta Sauce?
Pink pasta sauce is the combination of marinara sauce and alfredo sauce that creates a creamy tomato sauce. You can use homemade alfredo sauce, marinara sauce, any other homemade tomato sauce, or store-bought jarred sauces for making the pink sauce. In our house, we prefer a 3 cup tomato sauce to 2 cups alfredo sauce ratio, but you can do an equal parts ratio for sauce if you prefer.
Variations of this recipe
Add meat. You can easily add cooked shrimp, cooked shredded chicken, cooked sausage, cooked ground turkey, or cooked ground beef to this recipe. You will want to add 2 cups of meat to the pasta bake if adding it.
Change up the pasta. While I normally use rotini pasta you can use penne pasta, ziti noodles or any small pasta noodle to make this recipe.
Add spices. If you are using a basic tomato sauce then you will want to add some spices to it including onion powder, garlic powder, basil, salt and pepper.
Add more cheese. If you love cheese, you can add more mozzarella cheese into the pasta along with on top of it. Adding some parmesan cheese on top and in the sauce is also another great change for those who love cheese.
Change up the sauce. You can use store bought sauce or homemade sauce. If you are using a storebought sauce I suggest using one that has spices and seasonings already in it. If you want to use a homemade sauce I love using homemade marinara sauce. You can also use homemade spaghetti sauce, homemade meat spaghetti sauce, spicy cherry tomato sauce, spicy bacon tomato sauce or sundried tomato pasta sauce. I always use this homemade alfredo sauce recipe when I am making alfredo sauce.
Can I use homemade sauce instead of jarred sauce to make pink pasta sauce?
Yes! If you want to make a traditional pink pasta sauce, also known as rosatella sauce or marinara alfredo you will want to make a batch of homemade alfredo sauce recipe and a batch of homemade marinara sauce. Combine the 2 sauces with your ratio preference, in our house we prefer a 2 cups alfredo sauce to 3 cups of marinara sauce ratio.
What Side dishes go well with Pink Pasta Sauce Pasta Bake?
There are many options for side dishes that you can serve alongside a pasta bake to create a well-rounded meal. Here are some suggestions:
- Salad. A fresh green salad is a great simple option. You can fancy up the salad also by making a Caesar salad or to go with the pasta bake. If I want to get fancier make an avocado BLT salad. If you want to stick with simple make a salad with Olive Garden Salad Dressing or copy cat olive garden salad.
- Garlic Bread. Garlic bread is a classic accompaniment to pasta dishes. You can buy pre-made garlic bread or make your own by slicing a baguette, spreading garlic butter on each slice, and toasting it in the oven until golden brown.
- Vegetables. Serve steamed vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, or green beans on the side for added nutrients and color. Sauteed veggies including zucchini or eggplant are also great veggie side dishes to pair with this pasta bake. I also like to make baked veggies because I can pop them right into the oven some of our family favorites are Parmesan Asparagus, Lemon Roasted Asparagus, Garlic Green Beans and Whole roasted cauliflower.
- Antipasto Platter. Create an antipasto platter with cured meats, cheeses, olives, roasted peppers, and marinated artichokes.
- Bruschetta. Serve bruschetta topped with diced tomatoes, garlic, basil, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze.
- Soup. A light soup, such as a tomato basil soup or minestrone, are a great option for soup.
How to store leftovers
Allow the pasta to cool completely. Once cool cover the baking dish with plastic wrap or move to an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Can I freeze Pink Sauce Pasta Bake?
Yes! If you are looking for a freezer meal this pink sauce pasta bake is perfect. You can freeze it before or after baking. It will be keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.
How to Freeze Before Baking. Follow the recipe directions until you get to the baking part, then wrap the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap and then a layer of tinfoil and then store in the freezer.
How to Freeze after baking. Allow the pasta to cool completely. Once cool cover the baking dish with plastic wrap and then tin foil. Then store in the freezer.
To reheat from frozen, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating and bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes. If you have not thawed the dish before hand then you will want to add additional time to the cook time.
Pink Sauce Pasta Bake Ingredients
- 24 ounces marinara sauce or 3 cups homemade pasta sauce
- 1 16 ounce box of pasta
- 15 ounce jar Alfredo Sauce or 2 cups homemade alfredo sauce
- 8 ounces Mozzarella Cheese shredded
How to Make Pink Pasta Sauce Pasta Bake
Preheat your oven to 350F.
Fill a pot with water then, place the pot on the stove over high heat and bring it to a boil. Once the water is boiling add the pasta.
Cook pasta al dente according to the box instructions. Once the pasta is cooked drain from the water and add the pasta back into the pot.
Add in the tomato sauce and the alfredo sauce and stir well to combine the sauces with the pasta.
Spray a baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and then pour the pasta into the dish.
Top with shredded mozzarella cheese and place the pasta dish into the oven.
Bake for 10-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and melted.
Baked Pasta Recipes
- Baked Spaghetti
- Easy Baked Ziti
- Baked Feta Pasta
- Copy Cat Olive Garden Ziti al Forno
- Sausage and Spinach baked ziti
Pink Sauce Pasta Bake
Ingredients
- 24 ounces marinara sauce or 3 cups homemade pasta sauce
- 16 ounce box of pasta
- 15 ounce jar Alfredo Sauce or 2 cups homemade alfredo sauce
- 8 ounces Mozzarella Cheese shredded
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350F.
- Fill a pot with water then, place the pot on the stove over high heat and bring it to a boil. Once the water is boiling add the pasta.
- Cook pasta al dente according to the box instructions. Once the pasta is cooked drain from the water and add the pasta back into the pot.
- Add in the tomato sauce and the alfredo sauce and stir well to combine the sauces with the pasta.
- Spray a baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and then pour the pasta into the dish.
- Top with shredded mozzarella cheese and place the pasta dish into the oven.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and melted.
Comments & Reviews
Martine - MeUnfinished says
I really like this! It is simple and since I love my BJ’s, it will be another excuse for me to go get my Ragu sauce there 🙂 Thanks, great quick recipe!
CourtneyLynne says
OMG 4 ingredients?!?! I so need to give this a try! I love me a simple yet yummy recipe!