Description
This Spicy Basil Rigatoni is a vibrant and flavorful pasta dish featuring al dente rigatoni tossed with a garlicky, red pepper-infused olive oil sauce, sweet cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, and plenty of grated Parmesan cheese. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a perfect weeknight meal that balances spice and freshness for an irresistible Italian-inspired experience.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 400 grams (about 14 oz) rigatoni pasta
Sauce
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 300 grams (about 10 oz) cherry tomatoes, halved
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Finishing
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves, packed
- 100 grams (about 1 cup) grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the rigatoni and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes, cooking for 1-2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant but not browned.
- Cook the tomatoes: Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet. Cook them for 5-7 minutes until softened, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Toss pasta with sauce: Add the cooked rigatoni into the skillet with the tomato mixture. Toss well to coat the pasta in the sauce. If the sauce feels too thick, gradually add some of the reserved pasta water until you reach the desired consistency.
- Add basil and cheese: Stir in the fresh basil leaves and grated Parmesan cheese. Toss gently until the cheese melts into the sauce and the basil is evenly distributed.
- Serve: Plate the pasta immediately while warm. Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese and additional crushed red pepper flakes if desired for added heat.
Notes
- Adjust the crushed red pepper flakes to control the spiciness according to your preference.
- Reserve pasta water is key to perfect sauce consistency, so don’t skip it.
- Fresh basil is preferred for vibrant flavor, but you may substitute with dried basil if fresh isn’t available.
- Use good-quality Parmesan for the best flavor impact.
- This dish pairs well with a simple green salad and crusty bread.
