Description
This Rigatoni Pasta Recipe features al dente pasta tossed in a creamy tomato and ground beef sauce, enhanced with fresh basil and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner, it combines simple ingredients into a rich and comforting dish packed with flavor.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 12 ounces rigatoni pasta
- 1/2 cup pasta water (reserved)
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 pound ground beef
- 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup fresh chopped basil, plus more for garnish
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Garnish
- Shredded Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add rigatoni and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining the pasta.
- Sauté aromatics: While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium-low heat. Add minced garlic and Italian seasoning, stirring constantly for 30–60 seconds to release fragrance without burning the garlic.
- Brown beef: Add ground beef to the pan and increase heat to medium-high. Crumble the beef with a spatula, cooking until fully browned and no pink remains.
- Combine sauce ingredients: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, heavy cream, chopped basil, kosher salt, and black pepper. Let the sauce simmer for a few minutes until heated through and flavors meld.
- Toss pasta with sauce: Add the drained rigatoni into the sauce along with a splash of reserved pasta water. Toss well to coat each piece of pasta evenly in the creamy tomato sauce.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle with additional fresh basil and shredded Parmesan cheese before serving.
- Enjoy: Serve immediately for a comforting, flavorful pasta dish.
- Feedback (optional): If you enjoy the dish, consider leaving a 5-star rating and review to share your experience.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, omit ground beef and add vegetables like mushrooms or zucchini.
- If the sauce is too thick, add additional reserved pasta water to reach desired consistency.
- Use fresh garlic and herbs for the best flavor impact.
- Heavy cream can be substituted with half-and-half or a dairy-free alternative for lighter or vegan options.
- Cook pasta just until al dente to avoid mushy texture when tossed with sauce.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
