Penne Rosa Recipe (Better Than Noodles & Company Copycat)
Creamy yet vibrant, this Penne Rosa Recipe brings the magic of restaurant bowls straight into your kitchen. You get the rich taste of a tomato cream pasta with the cozy feel of a comfort food pasta. Many call it the ultimate easy weeknight pasta that transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant style pasta experience.
Inspired by the popular penne rosa noodles and company, this version delivers a smoother creamy marinara sauce without the hefty price tag. You’ll enjoy a budget friendly pasta recipe that feels indulgent yet practical. Think of it as a warm hug in bowl form that never disappoints during a busy evening.
What is Penne Rosa? (A Creamy Tomato Pasta Explained)
At its heart, the Penne Rosa Recipe blends a velvety creamy garlic tomato sauce with tender al dente penne pasta. This beloved pink sauce pasta sits right between Alfredo and marinara. The mix of marinara sauce and heavy whipping cream creates an ideal creamy consistency for this italian pasta dish.
Meanwhile, sautéed sliced mushrooms, juicy roma tomatoes, and fresh spinach leaves elevate this garlic tomato pasta into a rich spinach mushroom pasta. A drizzle of olive oil, a pinch of kosher salt, and black pepper enhance the overall pasta texture while balancing the sauce thickness perfectly.
Why You’ll Love This Penne Rosa Recipe
First, this homemade penne rosa doubles as a hearty vegetarian pasta recipe or a flexible meatless pasta dinner. When tossed as a penne pasta with marinara, it transforms into a creamy delight using a balanced tomato based sauce prepared as a skillet cooked pasta.
Additionally, the Penne Rosa Recipe easy approach ensures quick preparation. You simply combine a dairy based sauce with a comforting parmesan cheese pasta finish. The final bowl offers a warming pasta dinner idea that suits both family nights and casual gatherings.
Ingredients You’ll Need to Make Penne Rosa at Home
Every great Penne Rosa Recipe starts with quality staples like homemade pasta sauce, diced roma tomatoes, and sautéed sliced mushrooms. Add fresh spinach leaves to introduce subtle bitterness. Stir in grated parmesan and heavy whipping cream to build a balanced sauce and noodles ratio.
For seasoning, rely on olive oil, kosher salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. The use of marinara sauce and red pepper flakes pasta style heat shapes the bold character of this penne rosa sauce recipe while improving the overall cooking time pasta efficiency.
| Ingredient | Role in Sauce |
| Marinara sauce | Base flavor |
| Heavy whipping cream | Creamy consistency |
| Roma tomatoes | Fresh acidity |
| Grated parmesan | Rich finish |
Best Pasta for Penne Rosa (Can You Use Other Pasta?)
Traditionally, the Penne Rosa Recipe italian works best with al dente penne pasta because its ridges trap the creamy sauce. This structure maintains the ideal pasta texture during reheating creamy pasta sessions.
However, you can still enjoy a one pan pasta recipe using rotini or farfalle. These shapes support the sauce thickness of this creamy penne rosa recipe while allowing your pasta with heavy cream to remain smooth and glossy.
How to Make Penne Rosa (Step-by-Step Instructions)
Begin by boiling your penne pasta with marinara style preparation until it reaches al dente penne pasta perfection. Meanwhile, cook sliced mushrooms in olive oil until tender. Add roma tomatoes and fresh spinach leaves to form a flavorful skillet cooked pasta base.
Then pour in marinara sauce and heavy whipping cream. Sprinkle kosher salt and black pepper. Combine with cooked pasta to form a balanced sauce and noodles ratio that defines this copycat penne rosa recipe experience.
Pro Tips to Make the Perfect Creamy Rosa Sauce
Achieving a silky creamy consistency depends on combining the tomato based sauce slowly with cream. Sudden heat changes affect the sauce thickness and final taste of your restaurant style pasta.
Moreover, the addition of grated parmesan enhances the savory depth. A gentle simmer helps maintain the smooth finish of this spicy penne rosa recipe while improving the overall pasta texture.
How to Make Penne Rosa Without Cream (Healthy Version)
You can easily create a healthy penne rosa recipe by replacing heavy whipping cream with blended milk and cheese. This swap keeps the creamy garlic tomato sauce intact while reducing fat content.
The lighter dairy based sauce still works beautifully with fresh spinach leaves and roma tomatoes. As a result, your penne rosa recipe healthy version becomes a lighter yet satisfying comfort food pasta.
Add-Ins & Variations (Chicken, Shrimp, Veggies & More)
Turning this into a penne rosa recipe with chicken adds protein richness. Simply stir grilled chicken into your homemade penne rosa for a hearty pasta dinner idea.
Vegetables like bell peppers improve the flavor of this italian style creamy pasta. Meanwhile, shrimp creates a luxurious twist to this penne rosa with chicken alternative.
What to Serve with Penne Rosa (Side Dish Ideas)
Garlic bread pairs beautifully with this penne alla rosa recipe. The crunchy texture contrasts the smooth creamy marinara sauce.
A crisp salad balances the richness of your penne parma rosa recipe. Together, they create a satisfying easy weeknight pasta meal.
How to Store, Freeze & Reheat Penne Rosa
Leftover Penne Rosa Recipe noodles should cool before refrigeration. Proper storage preserves the pasta texture and prevents drying.
For reheating, add a splash of milk during reheating creamy pasta. This helps restore the creamy consistency of your penne salsa rosa recipe.
Penne Rosa Nutrition Information
Each serving of this best penne rosa recipe offers balanced carbs and protein. The inclusion of grated parmesan supports flavor depth.
Switching to lighter cream transforms it into a healthy penne rosa recipe without losing the charm of this italian pasta dish.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Making Rosa Pasta
Overcooking ruins the cooking time pasta balance and weakens the sauce thickness. Always aim for al dente penne pasta.
Adding cream too early affects the dairy based sauce structure. Instead, mix it last for a smooth creamy penne rosa recipe finish.
FAQS
What is the key ingredient in Penne Rosa?
The key ingredient in Penne Rosa is a creamy tomato-based rosa sauce made with marinara and heavy cream.
What is Parma Rosa sauce made of?
Parma Rosa sauce is made from marinara sauce, cream, garlic, parmesan cheese, and tomatoes.
Do Noodles no longer have Penne Rosa?
Penne Rosa is still available on the Noodles & Company menu at most locations.
What meat goes with Penne Rosa?
Grilled chicken, shrimp, or Italian sausage pairs perfectly with Penne Rosa.
