Description
A quick and comforting Easy Rigatoni Recipe perfect for weeknight dinners. Tender rigatoni pasta is combined with a savory tomato sauce, aromatic herbs, and melty Parmesan cheese, ready in under 30 minutes. This dish is versatile, family-friendly, and ideal for busy evenings, delivering rich flavors with simple pantry staples.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces rigatoni pasta (use gluten-free rigatoni for gluten-free option)
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (oregano and basil blend)
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Finishing Touches
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil leaves, a handful for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Rigatoni: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of the pasta water to adjust sauce consistency later.
- Prepare the Sauce: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Pour in crushed tomatoes, dried Italian herbs, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Simmer gently for 10 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked rigatoni to the skillet with the sauce. Gradually add reserved pasta water little by little until the sauce reaches your desired thickness. Stir well to coat all pasta pieces evenly, allowing them to soak up the flavors.
- Finish with Cheese and Basil: Turn off the heat and stir in freshly grated Parmesan cheese until melted. Top the dish with fresh basil leaves for a burst of color and fresh herbal aroma. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary before serving.
Notes
- Do not overcook the pasta; al dente texture ensures the best bite and flavor.
- Reserve some pasta water to thicken or loosen the sauce as needed.
- Use fresh garlic for a brighter and more vibrant sauce flavor.
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese offers superior taste and melt compared to pre-grated varieties.
- Simmer the sauce gently to develop a balanced and rich flavor without boiling aggressively.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg