Name: One Pot Spicy Rigatoni Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter; 1 small diced shallot; 5 cloves minced garlic; 2 teaspoons crushed red pepper (more or less to taste); 16 ounces uncooked rigatoni pasta; 20 ounces good quality marinara sauce; 4 cup low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth; 1 teaspoon kosher salt (more or less to taste); 3/4 cup heavy cream; 1/2 cup parmesan cheese shavings; 1 cup cooked green peas

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Introduction

This One Pot Spicy Rigatoni is a flavorful and comforting dinner that’s quick to make and easy to clean up. The combination of spicy red pepper flakes, creamy sauce, and tender rigatoni pasta makes for a delicious, satisfying meal the whole family will enjoy.

A close-up top view of a white pot filled with rigatoni pasta in a thick, creamy orange-red tomato sauce, speckled with bright green peas. The rigatoni are large, tubular, and smooth, sitting partially submerged in the sauce. On top, there is a generous strip of finely shredded pale yellow cheese sprinkled across the middle, along with small bits of red chili flakes adding a touch of texture and color. The pot rests on a round wooden board, with a black and white striped cloth partially visible next to it on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 small diced shallot
5 cloves minced garlic
2 teaspoons crushed red pepper (more or less to taste)
16 ounces uncooked rigatoni pasta
20 ounces good quality marinara sauce
4 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
1 teaspoon kosher salt (more or less to taste)
3/4 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup parmesan cheese shavings
1 cup cooked green peas

Instructions

Step 1: Place the butter in a pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. As the butter is melting, add the diced shallots and minced garlic to the pan.
Step 2: Sprinkle in the crushed red pepper flakes and stir to combine. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring often to soften the shallots and garlic without burning them.
Step 3: Add the uncooked rigatoni pasta, marinara sauce, broth, and kosher salt to the pot. Stir everything together and bring it up to a gentle boil.
Step 4: Cover the pot, reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer for about 12-13 minutes, or until the rigatoni is cooked through.
Step 5: Once the pasta is al dente, stir in the heavy cream, cooked green peas, and parmesan cheese shavings. Mix over medium heat until the sauce becomes creamy and well combined.
Step 6: Serve immediately, garnished with extra parmesan or fresh herbs if desired.

Tips & Variations

For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
If you like it spicier, increase the crushed red pepper flakes gradually to suit your taste.
Swap green peas for other vegetables like spinach or mushrooms for variety.
Use freshly grated parmesan for the best flavor and smooth texture in the sauce.

Storage

Store leftover rigatoni in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth or cream to loosen the sauce if it has thickened.

How to Serve

A black pot filled with three layers of food is shown. The bottom layer is a smooth, creamy orange-red sauce covering the pot. The middle layer contains large tubes of rigatoni pasta, cooked and creamy, partially covered by the sauce. Bright green peas are scattered evenly between and on top of the pasta. The top layer has a light sprinkling of finely shredded pale yellow cheese and a few red chili flakes spread across the center. The pot is placed on a round wooden board on a white marbled surface, with a black and white striped towel draped near it. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta for this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute rigatoni with other sturdy pasta shapes like penne, ziti, or shells that hold up well to this one-pot cooking method.

Is it important to cover the pot while cooking the pasta?

Covering the pot helps maintain a consistent simmer and cooks the pasta evenly while allowing the sauce to thicken. However, check occasionally to ensure it doesn’t boil over.