Description
This One Pot Spicy Rigatoni is a quick and flavorful pasta dish combining tender rigatoni with a spicy marinara sauce, creamy heavy cream, and fresh green peas. Featuring a simple cooking method in a single pot, it balances heat from crushed red pepper flakes with the richness of butter, garlic, and parmesan cheese for an easy yet impressive meal perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 small shallot, diced
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 16 ounces uncooked rigatoni pasta
- 20 ounces quality marinara sauce
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (adjust to taste)
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese shavings
- 1 cup cooked green peas
Instructions
- Melt: Place the butter in a pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Allow it to melt completely to prepare the base for sautéing the aromatics.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add diced shallots and minced garlic to the melted butter. Stir frequently to combine and prevent sticking.
- Softening: Sprinkle in crushed red pepper flakes and stir well. Cook the shallots and garlic mixture for 1-2 minutes until softened and fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Add Pasta and Liquids: Pour in the uncooked rigatoni pasta, marinara sauce, chicken or vegetable broth, and kosher salt. Stir everything together to evenly distribute the ingredients.
- Boil and Simmer: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, cover the pot and reduce heat to medium-low. Let it simmer gently for about 12-13 minutes, stirring occasionally until the pasta is cooked to al dente.
- Combine and Finish: When the rigatoni is tender and most liquid is absorbed, add heavy cream, cooked peas, and parmesan cheese shavings. Stir over medium heat until the sauce thickens and becomes creamy, coating the pasta evenly.
- Serve: Serve the spicy rigatoni immediately. Garnish optionally with fresh herbs and extra parmesan cheese for added flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Adjust crushed red pepper flakes to control the spice level according to your preference.
- Using low-sodium broth allows you to control saltiness more precisely.
- For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- The peas add a pop of color and sweetness that balances the spicy sauce but can be omitted if unavailable.
- Make sure to stir occasionally during simmering to prevent the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- If sauce thickens too much before the pasta is cooked, add a splash of extra broth or water to loosen it.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
