Description
Hearty rigatoni pasta delivers pure comfort with its rich, creamy tomato sauce dancing through perfectly al dente noodles. Homemade elegance brings Italian warmth straight to your dinner table, inviting you to savor each luxurious, flavor-packed bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein and Pasta:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) rigatoni pasta
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 can (14 ounces / 400 grams) crushed tomatoes
Dairy, Seasonings, and Extras:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water and bring to a rolling boil, generously seasoning with salt for enhanced pasta flavor.
- Gently drop rigatoni into the boiling water, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, and cook until al dente with a slight bite.
- While pasta cooks, warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium heat, allowing it to shimmer slightly.
- Introduce finely chopped onions to the skillet, sautéing until translucent and softened, releasing their natural sweetness.
- Mince garlic cloves and add to the onion mixture, quickly stirring to prevent burning and create an aromatic base.
- Pour crushed tomatoes into the skillet, incorporating Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper for depth of flavor.
- Allow the sauce to simmer gently, letting the ingredients meld and develop a rich, concentrated taste for approximately 10 minutes.
- Lower the heat and introduce heavy cream, stirring smoothly to create a luxurious, velvety texture.
- Fold in freshly grated parmesan cheese, whisking until the sauce becomes uniformly creamy and glossy.
- Drain the cooked rigatoni and transfer directly into the sauce, tossing thoroughly to ensure each pasta tube is lavishly coated.
- Finish the dish by scattering torn fresh basil leaves and an additional sprinkle of parmesan cheese across the top for a vibrant, fresh presentation.
Notes
- Swap heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream for a dairy-free version that maintains the creamy texture.
- Toast the Italian seasoning in the pan with garlic to enhance its flavor depth and release aromatic oils before adding tomatoes.
- Reserve a cup of pasta water before draining to help create a silkier sauce if the mixture seems too thick during final mixing.
- Use fire-roasted crushed tomatoes for a smoky undertone that adds complexity to the traditional tomato sauce profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 65 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg