Spicy Rigatoni
Spicy Rigatoni
Ingredients
- 8 ounces rigatoni
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 white onion, diced
- 1/2 shallot, diced
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons chili flakes, or to taste
- 1/4 cup vegetable broth
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- salt, to taste
- 1/2 cup heavy cream, to 3/4 cup
- 2 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for garnish
- pasta water, as needed
- fresh herbs, chopped, for garnish (e.g., parsley, basil)
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta.
⏱️ 10 min
- 2
While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat.
⏱️ 1 min
- 3
Add the diced white onion to the skillet and cook until softened and translucent, about 3-5 minutes.
⏱️ 4 min
- 4
Stir in the diced shallot and minced garlic. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
⏱️ 2 min
- 5
Add the chili flakes to the skillet and toast with the aromatics for about 30 seconds, until very fragrant.
⏱️ 1 min
- 6
Deglaze the pan with the vegetable broth, scraping the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon to loosen any browned bits.
⏱️ 1 min
- 7
Once the broth begins to boil, stir in the tomato paste. Mix well until fully incorporated into the sauce.
⏱️ 2 min
- 8
Season the sauce with salt to taste. Remember that Parmesan cheese will add additional saltiness later.
⏱️ 1 min
- 9
Drizzle in the heavy cream, starting with 1/2 cup and adding more if a richer, creamier sauce is desired. Stir until the sauce is smooth and takes on a beautiful orange color.
⏱️ 2 min
- 10
Add 2 ounces of grated Parmesan cheese directly into the sauce and stir until melted and combined.
⏱️ 1 min
- 11
Add the cooked al dente rigatoni to the skillet with the sauce. Toss the pasta to coat it evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash or two of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
⏱️ 2 min
- 12
Serve the spicy rigatoni immediately in bowls. Garnish with an additional sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh herbs, if desired.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Spicy Rigatoni
- 8 ounces rigatoni
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 white onion, diced
- 1/2 shallot, diced
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons chili flakes, or to taste
- 1/4 cup vegetable broth
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- salt, to taste
- 1/2 cup heavy cream, to 3/4 cup
- 2 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for garnish
- pasta water, as needed
- fresh herbs, chopped, for garnish (e.g., parsley, basil)
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta.
⏱️ 10 min - 2
While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat.
⏱️ 1 min - 3
Add the diced white onion to the skillet and cook until softened and translucent, about 3-5 minutes.
⏱️ 4 min - 4
Stir in the diced shallot and minced garlic. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
⏱️ 2 min - 5
Add the chili flakes to the skillet and toast with the aromatics for about 30 seconds, until very fragrant.
⏱️ 1 min - 6
Deglaze the pan with the vegetable broth, scraping the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon to loosen any browned bits.
⏱️ 1 min - 7
Once the broth begins to boil, stir in the tomato paste. Mix well until fully incorporated into the sauce.
⏱️ 2 min - 8
Season the sauce with salt to taste. Remember that Parmesan cheese will add additional saltiness later.
⏱️ 1 min - 9
Drizzle in the heavy cream, starting with 1/2 cup and adding more if a richer, creamier sauce is desired. Stir until the sauce is smooth and takes on a beautiful orange color.
⏱️ 2 min - 10
Add 2 ounces of grated Parmesan cheese directly into the sauce and stir until melted and combined.
⏱️ 1 min - 11
Add the cooked al dente rigatoni to the skillet with the sauce. Toss the pasta to coat it evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash or two of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
⏱️ 2 min - 12
Serve the spicy rigatoni immediately in bowls. Garnish with an additional sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh herbs, if desired.
⏱️ 1 min