Description
This Creamy Tomato Garlic Rigatoni Pasta Recipe combines rich flavors of sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, cream, and sturdy rigatoni for a comforting bowl of pasta that’s ready in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- Rigatoni Pasta: 1 lb (450g) – The large tubes with ridges are perfect for catching every bit of the delicious sauce.
- Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons
- Garlic: 6 cloves, minced – Don’t be shy with the garlic; it’s a star player here.
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes: ½ cup, packed in oil, drained and chopped
- Tomato Paste: 2 tablespoons – This adds a deep, concentrated tomato flavor.
- Vegetable Broth: 1 cup – Used to deglaze the pan and form the base of the sauce.
- Heavy Cream: 1 cup – This is what makes the sauce wonderfully creamy and luscious.
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: ½ teaspoon (or more, to taste)
- Dried Oregano: 1 teaspoon
- Salt and Black Pepper: To taste
- Reserved Pasta Water: 1 cup – The starchy water is the secret to a silky, well-emulsified sauce.
- Fresh Basil: ¼ cup, chopped, for garnish
- Grated Parmesan Cheese: ½ cup, plus more for serving
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rigatoni until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining
- Start the Sauce: Heat olive oil in a skillet, add minced garlic, cook until fragrant. Add sun-dried tomatoes and red pepper flakes and cook for another minute
- Build the Flavor: Stir in tomato paste and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add vegetable broth and simmer to reduce
- Make it Creamy: Reduce heat, add heavy cream and oregano, stirring until smooth. Season with salt and pepper
- Combine Everything: Add drained rigatoni, Parmesan, and reserved pasta water to the sauce. Toss until well coated
- Serve and Garnish: Stir in fresh basil and serve with additional Parmesan cheese on top
Notes
For a creamier sauce, you can add cream cheese along with the heavy cream.
Feel free to customize with proteins or vegetables to suit your taste.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 620 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 75 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg