Description
A cozy, creamy bowl of rigatoni with a spicy kick, made with simple ingredients and ready in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces rigatoni
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter, divided
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 small shallot, minced
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup crushed tomatoes or passata
- 1 to 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes, to taste, or 1 to 2 teaspoons Calabrian chili paste
- 1 shot vodka, optional
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano, plus more for serving
- Salt and black pepper
- Fresh basil for garnish
- 1 cup reserved pasta water, as needed
Instructions
- Salt the water. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt it generously.
- Cook the pasta. Boil rigatoni until just shy of al dente, checking 1 to 2 minutes before the package time. Reserve at least a cup of pasta water.
- Sauté the aromatics. In a skillet, warm olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter over medium heat, add shallot and cook until soft. Stir in garlic until fragrant.
- Toast the tomato paste. Add tomato paste, stirring for 2 to 3 minutes until it darkens slightly.
- Deglaze with vodka, if using. Pour in vodka and let it bubble to cook off the harshness.
- Add tomatoes and heat. Stir in crushed tomatoes, then add red pepper flakes or Calabrian chili. Simmer for a few minutes.
- Make it creamy. Lower the heat and stir in heavy cream. Season with salt and black pepper.
- Emulsify with pasta water. Add the drained pasta to the sauce with a splash of reserved pasta water, tossing until it turns glossy.
- Finish with cheese and butter. Off the heat, stir in the remaining tablespoon of butter and the grated cheese. Adjust seasoning.
- Serve. Top with extra cheese and basil, and enjoy hot.
Notes
Store leftovers in a sealed container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently with a splash of water or milk.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pasta
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 40mg