Description
Indulge in a delicious bowl of creamy rigatoni pasta coated in a flavorful tomato sauce, topped with fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large shallot, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil leaves, divided
- 4 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
For the Pasta:
-
- Rigatoni pasta
- Salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Pasta water
For Garnishing:
-
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Additional red pepper flakes
- Fresh basil leaves
- Small mozzarella cheese balls (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: In a pan, heat olive oil and sauté shallot and garlic. Add Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, basil, cherry tomatoes, sugar, and butter. Simmer until tomatoes soften.
- Cook the Pasta: Boil rigatoni in salted water until al dente. Reserve pasta water.
- Combine: Toss cooked pasta with the tomato sauce, adding pasta water as needed for consistency.
- Serve: Garnish with Parmesan, basil, red pepper flakes, and mozzarella balls.
Notes
- You can add cooked protein like grilled chicken or shrimp to make it a complete meal.
- Feel free to customize the spice level by adjusting the amount of red pepper flakes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
Keywords: creamy pasta, tomato sauce, rigatoni recipe, Italian cuisine