Description
Comforting Italian-inspired tomato garlic pasta delights palates with its simple yet robust flavor profile. Silky sauce and perfectly al dente noodles promise a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 8 oz (226 g) rigatoni pasta, cooked al dente
- 3 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 8 garlic cloves, minced
Seasoning and Spices:
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1 teaspoon white sugar
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Garnish:
- 1/2 cup chopped parsley
- Freshly grated Parmesan (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the foundation by finely chopping garlic and slicing cherry tomatoes in half, creating a mise en place for seamless cooking execution.
- Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-low temperature, introducing minced garlic with a delicate salt sprinkle. Gently stir to achieve a golden, aromatic result without scorching, approximately 5 minutes.
- Introduce halved cherry tomatoes with additional salt, allowing them to simmer and transform into a rich, concentrated compote. Occasionally stir while they soften and release intense flavors, roughly 10-15 minutes.
- Incorporate chili flakes and tomato paste, stirring to develop deep, complex flavors. Pour cream and whisk thoroughly, creating a velvety texture. Integrate flour slurry to enhance sauce consistency, simmering for 5-10 minutes.
- Elevate the sauce with parsley, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Gently fold cooked rigatoni into the sauce, ensuring comprehensive coating.
- Allow pasta to rest, covered, for 5 minutes off direct heat, enabling sauce absorption. Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan, additional parsley, and a sprinkle of cracked black pepper before presenting.
Notes
- Mince garlic finely and use medium-low heat to prevent burning, releasing its sweet, mellow flavor without bitterness.
- Allow cherry tomatoes to slowly break down, creating a rich, jammy base that intensifies the sauce’s natural sweetness.
- Whisk flour with water before adding to prevent lumps, ensuring a silky-smooth sauce that coats pasta evenly.
- Swap cream with plant-based alternatives like coconut milk or cashew cream for a vegan-friendly version that maintains luxurious texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 45 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg