Description
Indulgent creamy tomato rigatoni pasta brings Italian comfort straight to your kitchen, blending rich flavors with silky sauce. Pasta lovers will savor each bite of this hearty, classic dish that promises a delightful culinary journey through Mediterranean traditions.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) rigatoni pasta
- 1 can (14 ounces / 400 grams) crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) heavy cream
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Cheese and Seasoning:
- 1/2 cup (50 grams) grated parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Boil rigatoni in salted water until al dente, approximately 8-9 minutes. Drain pasta, reserving a small amount of cooking liquid.
- Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium temperature, releasing aromatic notes from minced garlic and diced onion until translucent.
- Pour crushed tomatoes into the skillet, blending dried basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Allow sauce to gently simmer for 10 minutes, developing rich flavors.
- Lower heat and incorporate heavy cream, stirring continuously to create a velvety consistency. Gradually fold in grated parmesan cheese until sauce becomes smooth and uniform.
- Introduce cooked rigatoni to the creamy tomato sauce, gently tossing to ensure complete coating. If sauce seems thick, add reserved pasta water to achieve desired consistency.
- Garnish with additional parmesan and fresh basil leaves before serving hot, allowing the aromatic herbs to enhance the dish’s overall flavor profile.
Notes
- Customize heat levels by adjusting red pepper flakes for spice-sensitive palates.
- Replace heavy cream with plant-based alternatives like coconut cream for vegan version.
- Toast dried herbs briefly before adding to sauce to enhance their aromatic flavors and depth.
- Use freshly grated parmesan for richer, more complex cheese flavor compared to pre-packaged versions.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 452 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg