Description
A creamy and flavorful pasta dish made with tomato paste, heavy cream, and a touch of spice, perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
- 16 oz rigatoni or penne
- 1 cup reserved cooking water
- Salt for boiling water
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 2/3 cup tomato paste
- 1 1/3 cup heavy cream
- 2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (plus extra if desired)
- 2 tsp dried basil
- Black pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese (add more if preferred)
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- Additional chopped parsley
- Extra red pepper flakes
- More grated parmesan
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add the rigatoni or penne and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the cooking water and then drain the pasta.
- In the same pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the tomato paste and mix well, cooking for another 2 minutes.
- Pour in the heavy cream and stir until combined. Add the crushed red pepper flakes, dried basil, and black pepper. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Add the cooked pasta to the pot along with the reserved pasta water. Mix well until the pasta is coated with the sauce.
- Stir in the grated parmesan and butter, mixing until melted and creamy.
- Serve hot, topped with additional chopped parsley, red pepper flakes, and more grated parmesan if desired.
Notes
For a lighter version, consider using half-and-half instead of heavy cream. You can also add in cooked chicken or shrimp for a heartier meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Boiling and sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian