Description
Easy Rigatoni Recipe is a quick and comforting pasta dish that combines al dente rigatoni with a savory tomato sauce, fresh herbs, and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for busy weeknights, it uses simple pantry ingredients and comes together in under 30 minutes, offering a delicious, family-friendly meal that you can easily customize to your taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 12 ounces rigatoni pasta (use gluten-free if desired)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- Optional: 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Boil the Rigatoni: Fill a large pot with salted water and bring to a boil. Add the rigatoni pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of pasta water for later use, and set the pasta aside.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned. Pour in the crushed tomatoes and stir in Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let the sauce simmer gently for 10 minutes to deepen the flavors.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained rigatoni to the skillet with the sauce. Toss well to coat the pasta evenly. Add reserved pasta water a splash at a time if you want the sauce looser and silkier. Stir in the chopped fresh basil and sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top.
- Serve Warm: Dish the rigatoni onto plates while hot. Add extra Parmesan or red pepper flakes if desired. Garnish with whole basil leaves for a fresh, colorful finish.
Notes
- Don’t overcook the pasta; keep it al dente for the best texture.
- Reserve some pasta water to help bind the sauce and pasta together.
- Use high-quality canned crushed tomatoes for richer sauce flavor.
- Allow the sauce to simmer slowly to meld the flavors well.
- Use fresh basil at the end for brightness and a more vibrant taste.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 53 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg
Keywords: easy rigatoni recipe, quick pasta, weeknight dinner, Italian pasta, simple tomato sauce, vegetarian pasta
