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Plate of creamy rigatoni with tomato sauce garnished with fresh basil

Creamy Rigatoni with Tomato Sauce

This creamy rigatoni with tomato sauce is a comforting and flavorful pasta dish perfect for a weeknight meal. The rich and creamy sauce coats the rigatoni beautifully, creating a satisfying culinary experience.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 4 people
Calories 650 kcal

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Large skillet

Ingredients
  

Pasta

  • 400 g rigatoni

Sauce

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 800 g crushed tomatoes
  • 150 ml heavy cream
  • 50 g Parmesan cheese grated
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil chopped
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions
 

Cooking Pasta

  • Cook rigatoni according to package directions in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.

Making Sauce

  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and add minced garlic, cooking until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add crushed tomatoes, salt, and pepper, then bring to a simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Stir in heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese, cooking for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. If needed, add some reserved pasta water to reach desired consistency.

Combine and Serve

  • Add the cooked rigatoni to the skillet with the sauce, tossing to coat evenly. Stir in fresh basil just before serving.

Notes

For an extra layer of flavor, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce along with the garlic. Freshly grating your Parmesan cheese will always yield a superior taste and texture compared to pre-grated options.