Creamy Calabrian Chili Rigatoni

Name: Creamy Calabrian Chili Rigatoni
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 18 min
Total time: 28 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 8 ounces Colavita Rigatoni (or any short pasta of your choice); 2 tablespoons Colavita Premium Italian EVOO; 2 cloves Garlic (minced); 1 tablespoon Colavita Calabrian Hot Chili Peppers (chopped, or to taste for desired spice level); 2 tablespoons Tomato Paste; 1/2 cup Heavy Cream; 1/2 cup Pasta Water (reserved from cooking pasta, adjust as needed); 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese (freshly grated, plus more for serving); to taste Salt; to taste Black Pepper (freshly ground); 1 tablespoon Fresh Parsley (chopped, for garnish)

This creamy Calabrian Chili Rigatoni is a simple yet incredibly flavorful pasta dish that can quickly become a family favorite. It features delicious Italian pantry staples, including Colavita Premium Italian EVOO and their spicy Calabrian hot chili peppers, creating a rich and vibrant sauce. The rigatoni is tossed in a luscious, spicy, and savory cream sauce, perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal. You'll definitely want to come back for seconds!

#Pasta

#Rigatoni

#Calabrian Chili

#Creamy

#Italian

#Spicy

#Quick Dinner

#Weeknight Meal

Sautéing aromatics for the sauce

Recipe Information

10m

Prep Time

18m

Cook Time

28m

Total Time

Servings

Easy

Italian

English

Nutrition (per serving)

550

Calories

15g

Protein

60g

Carbs

25g

Fat

Creamy sauce simmering in the pan

Ingredients

Servings: 2

💡 Tip: Check off ingredients as you add them to keep track of your progress!

Tossing rigatoni in the rich sauce

Instructions

0/7 completed

1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the rigatoni and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of pasta water.
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12m
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Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the rigatoni and cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of pasta water.
12m
Ensuring the water is well-salted will season the pasta from within.
2
While the pasta is cooking, heat Colavita Premium Italian EVOO in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and chopped Calabrian hot chili peppers, and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
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2m
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While the pasta is cooking, heat Colavita Premium Italian EVOO in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and chopped Calabrian hot chili peppers, and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
2m
Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can turn bitter quickly.
3
Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to deepen its flavor.
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2m
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Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to deepen its flavor.
2m
Cooking the tomato paste helps remove its raw taste and enhances the sauce's richness.
4
Pour in the heavy cream and about half of the reserved pasta water (1/4 cup). Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
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3m
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Pour in the heavy cream and about half of the reserved pasta water (1/4 cup). Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
3m
The pasta water is crucial for emulsifying the sauce and helping it cling to the pasta.
5
Add the drained rigatoni to the skillet with the sauce. Toss well to coat the pasta. If the sauce is too thick, add more reserved pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached.
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3m
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Add the drained rigatoni to the skillet with the sauce. Toss well to coat the pasta. If the sauce is too thick, add more reserved pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency is reached.
3m
Tossing the pasta in the sauce ensures every piece is evenly coated and absorbs flavor.
6
Remove from heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
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1m
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Remove from heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
1m
Adding Parmesan off the heat prevents it from clumping or becoming oily.
7
Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh chopped parsley.
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1m
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Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh chopped parsley.
1m
A final sprinkle of fresh herbs adds brightness and a pop of color.