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Creamy Tomato Garlic Rigatoni Recipe

3.9 from 75 reviews

This creamy tomato garlic pasta is a rich and flavorful dish combining sautéed garlic, sweet cherry tomatoes, and a luscious cream sauce infused with white wine and smoked paprika. Perfectly cooked rigatoni pasta is enveloped in a velvety sauce, making it an indulgent yet accessible meal for any weeknight or special occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 8 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 cup dry white wine
  • 1 teaspoon white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon chili flakes
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon flour
  • ½ cup chopped parsley
  • 8 oz rigatoni pasta, cooked al dente
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Freshly grated Parmesan (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prep the Ingredients: Mince the garlic and slice the cherry tomatoes in half to prepare for cooking.
  2. Sauté the Garlic: Heat 4 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic along with ½ teaspoon of salt. Sauté the garlic until it becomes golden and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
  3. Cook the Tomatoes: Add the halved cherry tomatoes and another ½ teaspoon of salt to the pan. Sauté for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally until the tomatoes soften and release their juices, creating a natural base for the sauce.
  4. Deglaze the Pan: Pour in 1 cup of dry white wine and allow it to simmer for about 5 minutes to reduce and concentrate the flavor. Stir in 1 teaspoon of chili flakes and 2 tablespoons of tomato paste to deepen the sauce’s richness.
  5. Add the Cream: Pour 2 cups of heavy cream into the pan and stir to combine. In a small bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon of flour with 2 tablespoons of water to form a slurry. Gradually add the slurry into the sauce, stirring continuously to thicken it while cooking for 5-10 minutes.
  6. Season & Combine: Stir in ½ cup of chopped parsley, 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, and salt and pepper to taste. Add the cooked rigatoni pasta, ensuring it remains al dente so it doesn’t become overcooked.
  7. Finish Cooking: Let the pasta simmer gently in the sauce for an additional 5 minutes to absorb flavors. Remove from heat, cover with a lid, and allow it to rest for 5 minutes to meld all the flavors together.
  8. Serve: Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, extra parsley, and a sprinkle of black pepper if desired. Serve immediately for a delicious creamy pasta experience.

Notes

  • For a dairy-free alternative, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream or cashew cream.
  • Use gluten-free pasta to make the dish gluten free.
  • Adjust chili flakes according to desired spiciness.
  • Reserve some pasta water to loosen the sauce if it becomes too thick.
  • Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 2 days; reheat gently on stovetop.

Keywords: creamy tomato garlic pasta, rigatoni pasta recipe, Italian pasta, creamy pasta sauce, garlic tomato sauce, easy pasta dinner, stovetop pasta recipe