Spicy Rigatoni Recipe: A Quick Italian Pasta Dish
Craving something spicy? Try this creamy Spicy Rigatoni, with a kick from red pepper flakes and a rich tomato sauce! 🌶️🍝 Perfect for any pasta lover! 😍
Ingredients
- 12 oz rigatoni pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 can 14.5 oz crushed tomatoes
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1-2 tsp red pepper flakes adjust to taste
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese optional
Instructions
Preparing the Pasta
- Boil a large pot of salted water. Add the rigatoni pasta and cook according to package directions, about 9-11 minutes, until al dente.
- Drain the pasta and set aside, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water.
Making the Sauce
- While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and cook for about 3-4 minutes, until softened.
- Stir in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, until fragrant.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine.
- Let the sauce simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens.
Combining the Pasta and Sauce
- Reduce the heat to low. Add the heavy cream to the sauce and stir to create a creamy consistency.
- Add the cooked rigatoni to the sauce, tossing gently to coat the pasta. If the sauce is too thick, add a bit of the reserved pasta water to reach the desired consistency.
- Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, if desired, and give the pasta one last toss.