Description
Rigatoni with Sausage, Tomatoes, and Zucchini is a delightful Italian-inspired pasta dish combining hearty sausage, sweet tomatoes, and fresh zucchini.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb rigatoni pasta
- 3 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 1 lb Italian sausage, casings removed
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 ounce tomato paste
- 2 cup grape or cherry tomatoes
- 1 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 4 small zucchini, cut into half-moons
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Handful fresh basil, chopped
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni and cook for 8 to 9 minutes, until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of the pasta cooking water. Set the pasta aside.
- In a large, deep skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Cook until the onion is soft, about 5 minutes.
- Add the Italian sausage to the skillet and cook, breaking it into large crumbles, until no longer pink, about 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add the tomato paste, grape tomatoes, white wine, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes begin to burst, about 8 to 10 minutes.
- Toss the sliced zucchini into the skillet and cook for 5 minutes, until it’s crisp-tender.
- In the pasta pot, mix together the cooked rigatoni and the sauce, adding 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta cooking water to create a silky consistency. Stir in the fresh basil. Serve immediately, topping each portion with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
Pair with a crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc. Consider serving with garlic bread or a fresh salad.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg