Description
This creamy tomato rigatoni pasta is a comforting and flavorful dish combining perfectly cooked rigatoni with a luscious sauce made from butter, garlic, cream, and tomato pasta sauce. Finished with Parmesan cheese, it’s an easy 25-minute meal ideal for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 500 grams dry rigatoni pasta (about 1 lb)
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- ½ small onion, finely diced
- 1 tablespoon finely minced fresh garlic (3-4 cloves)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ⅛-¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (use ¼ teaspoon for some heat, ⅛ for no heat)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon all purpose flour
- 1½ cups heavy cream (or substitute half and half)
- 1½ cups tomato pasta sauce (marinara or other)
- 3 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil over high heat. Add the rigatoni, reduce heat to medium, and cook until al dente according to package directions.
- Sauté the aromatics: Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened and beginning to brown, about 4-5 minutes.
- Add garlic and seasonings: Stir in minced garlic, salt, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes, and black pepper. Cook for about 1 minute, making sure the garlic does not burn.
- Incorporate flour: Stir in the all purpose flour until no white streaks remain, forming a roux that will thicken the sauce.
- Add cream and tomato sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and tomato pasta sauce, stirring until fully combined. Let the mixture simmer over medium heat until it slightly thickens, about 3-5 minutes.
- Drain pasta and reserve water: When the rigatoni is cooked, reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
- Toss pasta with sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Stir in reserved pasta water a little at a time (starting with ¼ cup) until the sauce comes together and coats the pasta nicely.
- Finish and serve: Sprinkle the freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the pasta, stirring briefly to incorporate. Serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- For a lighter sauce, substitute half the heavy cream with half and half.
- Adjust crushed red pepper flakes to control spiciness according to your preference.
- Reserve pasta water to help loosen and emulsify the sauce for a creamier texture.
- This dish pairs well with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor and texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
