Veggie Pasta in Pink Sauce

We love pasta and make it a point to make them once a month at least. Usually it is red sauce or white sauce pasta. But this time I wanted to try something different and decided to go ahead and make a combination of red and white sauce or popularly known as Pink sauce. You can use any pasta which is available with you. I used fusilli , but this recipe goes well with any kind of pasta.  Scroll down for step by step pics. 

Ingredients: 

• Pasta- 2 Cups
• Vegetables - 1/2 cup of each veggie(I used Carrots, Beans, Mushrooms,Corn& spinach)
• Onion- 1 chopped finely
• 2 tbsp olive oil 
• 2 tablespoon butter 
• 5 cloves of garlic, finely chopped 
• 2 tablespoon refined flour ( maida or wheat flour)
• 2 cups milk 
• 1 cube cheese, grated (I added Cream cheese)
• 1 teaspoon oregano 
• 1 teaspoon red chilli flakes (optional)
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper powder 
• Salt to taste 
• 10 Cherry tomatoes -For garnish (optional)

For Red sauce 

• 1 cup tomato puree 
• 2-3 tablespoon tomato ketchup 
• Few basil leaves (Optional)

Method: 
For boiling pasta

1. Bring water to boil in a large pot with one teaspoon of salt. 
2. Add the pasta and cook as per instructions on package until al dente. Stir occasionally.
3. Once cooked, drain the pasta water and reserve the water for later use. 
4. Heat olive oil or butter in another pan, add chopped onions and sauté till soft. 
5. Add chopped vegetables. Cook for 3-4 minutes. 
6. Turn off the flame and transfer the vegetables in bowl and set aside. 

For Pasta Sauce 

1. Heat butter in the same pan, add garlic and sauté for few seconds. 
2. Add flour and stir continuously till the raw smell of flour goes away. 
3. Pour the milk little by little and stir continuously. Make sure it does not form any lumps. 
4. Cook until the mixture starts to thicken. 
5. Add grated cheese and mix well. I used cream cheese so put 2 scoops 
6. Add tomato puree and tomato ketchup. 
7. Add oregano, red chilli flakes, pepper powder, basil leaves and salt. 
8. Mix well. 
9. Add the sautéed vegetables and boiled pasta in it. 
10. Mix well to coat the pasta with sauce evenly. Turn off the flame. 
11. Garnish with grated cheese, basil leaves, oregano and chilli flakes. (Optional)
12. Serve Hot

Notes: 

• If the sauce thickens, add little reserved pasta water if required. 
• Add more vegetables  or Non veg of your choice like broccoli, chicken , sausages
• Make sure the colour of flour does not change while roasting and lumps are not formed while pouring milk.
• For tomato puree - blanch the tomatoes in hot water, remove the skin and grind.
• You can  add ¼ cup fresh cream to make it more creamier 

Do try this out and share with us your thoughts on this recipe and how it turned out for you. 

Share images, Subscribe and follow us on Pinterest