Casual Spicy Rigatoni

A flavor explosion with a silky, spicy sauce combined with rigatoni pasta, fresh basil, and parmesan cheese.

Cook time: 45 minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 small onion chopped
• 4 cloves garlic chopped
• 1 medium shallot chopped
• 400 grams rigatoni pasta
• 0 to taste salt
• 1 cup water reserved pasta water
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup chopped onions
• 0.5 cup chopped shallot
• 2 cloves chopped garlic
• 2 tablespoons Calabrian chilies
• 0.25 cup tomato paste
• 0.25 cup vodka
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 0.5 cup reserved pasta water
• 400 grams cooked rigatoni pasta
• 0.25 cup fresh basil chopped
• 0.5 cup parmesan cheese grated

Instructions

1. Chop the onions, garlic, and shallot.
2. Salt a large pot of water and bring it to a boil. Cook the rigatoni pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta.
3. Heat olive oil and butter in a large pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
4. Add the chopped shallot and garlic to the pan and cook for another 2 minutes. Stir in the Calabrian chilies for a spicy kick.
5. Add the tomato paste to the pan and cook on low heat for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Add vodka to the pan and simmer until the alcohol has cooked off, about 3 minutes. Stir in the heavy whipping cream and cook until the sauce is thick and silky.
7. Stir well to combine as the sauce thickens. Add in the cooked rigatoni pasta and reserved pasta water. Toss to coat the pasta evenly.
8. Garnish with lots of fresh basil and freshly grated parmesan cheese. Serve with a nice cold beer or a glass of wine.