Description
Rigatoni pasta with a creamy tomato sauce delights dinner guests with rich Italian flavors. Home cooks can quickly prepare this comforting meal that blends robust ingredients into a satisfying culinary experience you’ll want to savor again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz rigatoni pasta
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- 1 cup (100 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 can (14 oz/400 g) crushed tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil and cook rigatoni until al dente, approximately 8-10 minutes. Drain pasta and reserve.
- In a spacious skillet, warm olive oil over medium heat. Sauté chopped onions until translucent and softened, about 4-5 minutes.
- Introduce minced garlic to the pan, stirring quickly to prevent burning. Allow aromatics to release fragrant notes for 30 seconds.
- Gently pour crushed tomatoes into the skillet. Sprinkle Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Reduce heat and let sauce simmer, developing rich flavors for 10 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low and incorporate heavy cream, stirring continuously. Gradually fold in grated Parmesan cheese until sauce transforms into a smooth, velvety consistency.
- Carefully fold cooked rigatoni into the creamy tomato sauce, ensuring each pasta tube is generously coated with the luxurious mixture.
- Transfer to serving dishes, garnish with freshly torn basil leaves, and serve immediately while piping hot.
Notes
- Swap heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream for a dairy-free version that maintains rich, velvety texture.
- Control spice level by adjusting red pepper flakes – start with a pinch for mild heat or increase for fiery kick.
- Reserve pasta water before draining to help create silkier sauce if mixture becomes too thick during cooking.
- Choose whole wheat rigatoni for added fiber and nutty undertone, boosting nutritional value without compromising flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 410 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 290 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg