Description
This Spicy Basil Rigatoni is a flavorful and comforting Italian pasta dish featuring al dente rigatoni tossed in a vibrant tomato sauce infused with garlic, onion, crushed red pepper flakes, fresh basil, and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a vegetarian dinner, it combines a subtle heat with fresh herbaceous notes and creamy Parmesan for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces rigatoni pasta
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 (15-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional)
- ½ cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for serving)
Garnish
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rigatoni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving ½ cup of the pasta water, and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic, chopped onion, and crushed red pepper flakes. Sauté for 3–4 minutes until the garlic is fragrant and the onions have softened.
- Prepare the sauce: Pour in the crushed tomatoes along with salt, black pepper, and optional sugar to balance acidity. Simmer the sauce gently for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to develop flavor.
- Finish the sauce: Stir in the chopped fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese, allowing the cheese to melt slightly into the sauce.
- Toss pasta with sauce: Add the cooked rigatoni to the skillet and toss thoroughly to coat the pasta evenly. If the sauce feels too thick, add the reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen it.
- Final cook: Cook the combined pasta and sauce for an additional 1–2 minutes over medium heat to blend the flavors well.
- Serve: Serve the spicy basil rigatoni hot, topped with extra grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves as garnish for added aroma and presentation.
Notes
- For extra protein, add grilled chicken, shrimp, or Italian sausage to the dish.
- To make this recipe vegan, omit the Parmesan cheese or substitute with a dairy-free cheese alternative.
- Adjust the crushed red pepper flakes to increase or decrease the heat level to your preference.
- Reserved pasta water helps to loosen the sauce and improve its texture.
