Description
A comforting and flavorful rigatoni pasta dish featuring Italian sausage, fresh cherry tomatoes, and tender zucchini, all simmered in a savory tomato sauce and finished with fresh basil and parmesan cheese. Perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner ready in under 40 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 3/4 pound rigatoni pasta shapes
- Pinch of salt (for pasta water)
Sauce
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 chopped yellow onion
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 5 minced garlic cloves
- 3 tablespoons tomato concentrate (paste)
- 1 cup chicken broth or white wine
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 diced small zucchini
- Handful of chopped fresh basil
- Freshly grated parmesan, to serve
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add a pinch of salt and the rigatoni pasta. Cook according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, and keep the pasta warm.
- Sauté Aromatics: While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and red pepper flakes (if using), and sauté for about 10 minutes, until the onion becomes translucent and aromatic.
- Brown the Sausage: Add the Italian sausage to the pan. Cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Add Tomato Paste: Add the tomato concentrate (paste), stir to incorporate, and cook for an additional 2 minutes to intensify the flavor.
- Deglaze and Simmer: Pour in the chicken broth or white wine, add the cherry tomatoes, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan for extra flavor.
- Add Zucchini: Stir in the diced zucchini and cook for about 5 more minutes until the zucchini is tender but not mushy.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained rigatoni to the pan with the sausage and vegetable mixture. Toss everything together, adding some reserved pasta water if needed for a silkier sauce.
- Finish and Serve: Stir in the chopped fresh basil. Plate the pasta and top with freshly grated parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Using chicken broth instead of white wine works well for a more mild flavor and is suitable if you prefer to avoid alcohol.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency if needed for a smoother finish.
- For a spicier dish, increase red pepper flakes or add fresh chili if desired.
- Freshly grated parmesan cheese adds richness and depth to the dish; omit or substitute with a vegan cheese for dietary preferences.
- You can substitute zucchini with other summer squash if preferred.
