I want you to take a tasty adventure with an easy dish that will elevate your overall taste – try the spicy rigatoni recipe.
In this blog post, we will discuss the complete process of preparation of spicy rigatoni. Later, we will also look at variations, pro tips to level up the taste, storage and freezing tips and much more.
Spicy Rigatoni
Spicy rigatoni is a delicious pasta dish that adds the comforting texture of rigatoni with a little spicy twist. It is coated in a spicy, creamy sauce which is prepared with ingredients like garlic, tomatoes red pepper flakes and a bit of cheese to balance the heat.
The dish is famous for its rich and strong flavours and a perfect mix of spiciness and creaminess. You can also top it with parsley, basil and grated parmesan cheese. Whether you serve it as a hearty side or as a main dish it will provide a satisfying and original taste.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bold Flavors: The spicy rigatoni contains a strong kick with its rich, spicy sauce which is both zesty and cozy.
- Quick and Simple: It is great for busy weeknights, it is simple to prepare and needs a few ingredients for a delicious meal.
- Satisfying and Hearty: The thick sauce sticks to the rigatoni, making it a hearty and satisfying dish that will be enjoyed by everyone.
- Customizable Heat: You can adjust the level of spiciness to fit your taste, making it hot or just mild.
Tips
- Use Fresh ripe tomatoes: Make sure to choose fresh ripe tomatoes like San Marzano for better taste. It provides depth and natural sweetness to the dish which improves the overall flavor.
- Infuse the sauce with garlic: For an aromatic base, cook the minced garlic in olive oil until turns golden. It provides a savoury and strong taste that goes well with the spiciness of rigatoni.
- Add a kick with red pepper flakes: You can adjust the spiciness by adding the red pepper flakes. Begin with a small amount and then gradually increase it based on your preference.
- Balance with cream: You can add a splash of heavy cream to lower the heat level and make the sauce rich and creamy. It allows the sauce to coat the rigatoni evenly.
- Fresh herbs for freshness: You can garnish the rigatoni with fresh herbs like parsley, and basil for a bit of freshness. It also makes it feel visually appealing.
Variations
- Spicy Shrimp Rigatoni: Tender shrimps are cooked with red pepper flakes, cherry tomatoes and garlic and then combined with rigatoni and a bit of buttery and spicy sauce.
- Spicy Chicken Rigatoni: Tender chicken is cooked with red pepper flakes, garlic and onion and then simmered in a tasty tomato cream sauce.
- Spicy Pesto Rigatoni: You can mix rigatoni with sun-dried tomatoes, basil pesto and red pepper flakes, all with a little cream. It’s herby, fresh, and a little spicy, topped with pine nuts and basil for extra texture and flavour.
- Spicy Sausage Rigatoni: Mix the rigatoni with spicy Italian sausage, strong tomato sauce, red pepper flakes and a little cream. This dish contains creamy, meaty and spicy flavours.
- Spicy Alfredo Rigatoni: You can mix rigatoni pasta with alfredo sauce which gets a spicy flavor from cayenne pepper and red pepper flakes.
Serving Suggestions
- Garlic Bread: You can serve garlic bread with a hint of garlic, which is perfect for absorbing the spicy sauce from the rigatoni.
- Caesar Salad: You can serve crunchy croutons, crispy romaine lettuce, parmesan and creamy Caesar dressing, which provide a creamy taste to the rigatoni.
- Roasted Vegetables: You can serve a mix of roasted bell peppers, cherry tomatoes and zucchini as a colourful and healthy side dish.
- Antipasto Platter: You can also try an antipasto platter that contains a variety of cheeses, marinated artichokes, cured meats and olives, making it perfect as a starter or as a side dish.
- Stuffed Mushrooms: Mushrooms stuffed with breadcrumbs, cheese, and herbs and baked until turn golden, making it a nice and rich side dish.
Storing and Freezing
Storing
- Before storing, let the rigatoni cool at room temperature.
- Transfer the rigatoni pasta into an air-tight container. Put it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- You can reheat the rigatoni in a saucepan over low flame. If the sauce is too thick, you can add a little broth and water.
Freezing
- Before freezing, let the rigatoni cool at room temperature to prevent ice crystals.
- You can portion out the rigatoni into meal-sized portions and place each of them into freezer-safe containers or bags. Ensure to remove the air to avoid freezer burn.
- Label each bag or container with the date and contents to keep track of the freshness.
- You can store it in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the spicy rigatoni recipe provides the perfect blend of hearty comfort and heat which makes it a unique dish from other pasta dishes. Its robust flavours and vibrant sauce do not just seem to be visually appealing on the plate but also a feast for the palate.
Also, don’t forget to experiment with the recipe like adjusting the spiciness, adding preferred vegetables or adding some protein. So whether you are preparing a weeknight meal, hosting a party, or just craving a comforting dish, it will surely impress anyone.
Read More:- Gochujang Pasta Recipe
Spicy Rigatoni Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 oz 340g rigatoni pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes adjust to taste
- 1 can 28 oz crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- In a large pot add salted water and bring it to the boil.
- Put rigatoni and cook as per the instructions of the packet until thoroughly cooked.
- Drain and put it aside, reserving a cup of pasta water.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium flame.
- Add the chopped onion and cook until translucent, it may take around 5 minutes.
- Add red pepper flakes and minced garlic, cook until smells nice for more 1-2 minutes.
- Pour in the rushed tomatoes and mix it well to combine with garlic and onion mixture.
- Simmer the sauce for around 10-15 minutes, to make it a bit thick. Add salt and pper according ot the taste.
- Mix in the heavy cream and lower down the flame. Put the grated parmesan cheese and mix until the sauce turn smooth, creamy and the cheese melts.
- Add the cooked rigatoni to the skillet and evenly toss it with the sauce. If your sauce is very thick, add some reserved pasta water.
- It’s time to serve the spicy rigatoni with chopped fresh basil and grated parmesan cheese.
