Description
Rigatoni with Sausage, Tomatoes, and Zucchini is a vibrant and hearty pasta dish that showcases the best of Italian flavors. With savory Italian sausage, juicy grape tomatoes, and tender zucchini, this recipe is perfect for both casual weeknight dinners and special gatherings. It can be prepared in just 40 minutes, making it a quick yet satisfying meal option. The combination of fresh ingredients not only enhances the taste but also provides a healthier alternative to traditional baked pastas. This dish is versatile; you can easily customize it by adding your favorite vegetables or adjusting the spice level to suit your palate. Serve it hot with a sprinkle of fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese for an inviting finish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3/4 lb rigatoni pasta
- 1 lb Italian sausage (mild, sweet, or spicy)
- 2 cups grape tomatoes
- 2 small zucchini (diced)
- 5 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 large yellow onion (finely chopped)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup fresh basil (chopped)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Boil salted water in a large pot for rigatoni.
- Sauté onion in olive oil until soft; add crushed red pepper flakes if desired.
- Brown the sausage in the skillet, breaking it into pieces.
- Stir in minced garlic and tomato paste; cook until fragrant.
- Add grape tomatoes and white wine or broth; season with salt and pepper.
- Cook until tomatoes begin to burst; then stir in diced zucchini.
- Cook rigatoni according to package instructions until al dente.
- Combine drained pasta with sauce; add reserved pasta water if needed.
- Garnish with basil and serve hot with Parmesan cheese.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Boiling/Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approx. 350g)
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 65mg