Get ready for a flavor explosion with our One Pot Spicy Rigatoni – your soon-to-be favorite weeknight superstar! It’s not just easy; it practically puts itself together, leaving you with minimal hands-on time. And the best part? It’s a powerhouse of flavor, ready to spice up your weeknight routine.
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The benefits of cooking single pot pasta
We’ve said it before, and we will say it again: we love one-pot pasta dishes!
The ease of making this recipe combined with the ease of clean up means more time spent with family. While we adore our kitchen adventures, we also cherish recipes that let us savor quality time beyond the kitchen walls. It’s all about maximizing those moments outside while still treating your taste buds to something spectacular!
The secret ingredient to the magic of our One-Pot Spicy Rigatoni? It’s not just the spice; it’s the fact that cooking it all together in one pot amplifies the flavor to a whole new level.
When you cook any kind of pasta, it absorbs the flavors of the liquid it is cooking in. That’s why it’s important to heavily salt water before you cook pasta. Dried pasta on its own is extremely bland and flavorless.
By cooking the rigatoni in tomato sauce, broth, garlic, shallots, and red chili flake, you are giving the pasta the opportunity for all of those flavors to infuse. Instead of just taking on the salt from boiling water, the noodles will take on the flavors of the liquid it is cooking in.
So not only does this recipe save you dishes, but it also takes the flavor of this one-pot pasta to the next level!
Shallots vs onions, and which should I use?
Both shallots and onions are in the allium family of vegetables, alongside garlic and chives! While shallots and onions both have a similarly characteristic bold flavor, there are some minor flavor differences that make shallots perfect for this recipe.
Shallots have a more mild, sweet flavor than onions. You may also notice that your eyes don’t tear up quite as much when cutting them. Onions, on the other hand, tend to be more intense and sharp.
We personally love the subtle flavor that the shallots bring to this dish. But, if you only have onions on hand don’t worry! You can definitely still use them for this recipe.
In fact, if you are ever in a pinch and don’t have the exact allium the recipe calls for, you can easily swap onions and shallots interchangeably. Just make sure you are using a similar amount.
Shallots tend to be smaller than onions. So a recipe that calls for a medium yellow onion would likely require two average-sized shallots.
Can I make spicy rigatoni without the spice?
Absolutely! While we love the spice in this recipe, we know it may not be for everyone.
You can easily make this single-pot pasta dish more mild by removing the red pepper chili flakes from the ingredient list.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Another resounding yes from us! This recipe is compatible with a gluten-free diet. To make this delicious recipe gluten-free, simply swap in your favorite gluten-free pasta.
Because each brand of gluten-free pasta is different, we recommend following the cooking time indicated on the box instructions. You can still cook the pasta in a single pot with the broth and tomato sauce, but you may want to check it halfway through to ensure you are getting the right texture.
How to make one pot spicy rigatoni
- Place the butter in a pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. As the butter is melting, add the shallots and garlic into the pan.
- Sprinkle in the red chili flake and mix together. Allow the shallots and garlic to soften in the pan by cooking for 1-2 minutes. Be sure to mix often so that the garlic and shallots don’t stick to the pan or burn.
- Add the pasta to the hot pan, followed by the marinara sauce, broth, and salt. Mix it all together and bring it up to a soft boil to cook the pasta. Cover and reduce the heat to medium-low for about 12-13 minutes.
- When the rigatoni is cooked to perfection, add the heavy cream, peas and parmesan to the pasta. Mix it together over medium heat until the sauce comes together.
- Serve immediately. Feel free to garnish with fresh herbs and a sprinkle of parmesan!
Other meatless One Pot Pasta recipes to try
If this One-Pot Spicy Rigatoni has won over your taste buds, brace yourself for more one-pot wonders! We’ve got a lineup of recipes that are bound to be the next stars in your culinary repertoire.
One Pot Spinach and Artichoke Pasta
One Pot Spicy Rigatoni
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 small diced shallot
- 5 cloves minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons crushed red pepper more or less to taste
- 16 ounces uncooked rigatoni pasta
- 20 ounces good quality marinara sauce
- 4 cup low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt more or less to taste
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese shavings
- 1 cup cooked green peas
Instructions
- Place the butter in a pot or dutch oven over medium-high heat. As the butter is melting, add the shallots and garlic into the pan.1 Tablespoon unsalted butter, 1 small diced shallot, 5 cloves minced garlic
- Sprinkle in the red chili flake and mix together. Allow the shallots and garlic to soften in the pan by cooking for 1-2 minutes. Be sure to mix often so that the garlic and shallots don’t stick to the pan or burn.2 teaspoons crushed red pepper
- Add the pasta to the hot pan, followed by the marinara sauce, broth, and salt. Mix it all together and bring it up to a soft boil to cook the pasta. Cover and reduce the heat to medium low for about 12-13 minutes.16 ounces uncooked rigatoni pasta, 20 ounces good quality marinara sauce, 4 cup low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth, 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- When the rigatoni is cooked to perfection, add the heavy cream, peas, and parmesan to the pasta. Mix it together over medium heat until the sauce comes together. Serve immediately. Feel free to garnish with fresh herbs and a sprinkle of parmesan!3/4 cup heavy cream, 1 cup cooked green peas, 1/2 cup parmesan cheese shavings
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This was really good and so easy. I added shrimp to get protein. Definitely a keeper.
We’re so happy to hear this! Thank you for trying it out, Beth. 😊
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
Thank you for the Rigatoni Recipe it’s like my Meme used to make. I put her spin on it and added some pancetta. It was delicious 😋.
Thank you for trying it out, Sheila! We’re so glad you enjoyed it. 😊
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
I’ve made this so many times over the past month or so. It’s so delicious!! Huge hit in this house.
We’re so happy to hear this! Thank you, Nicole! 😊
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
Can chicken be added to this? Was thinking of cooking chicken breast chunks with the onions and garlic.
Sure! Just make sure it cooks completely. 😊
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
absolutely love your recipes…I’ve pre-ordered your cookbook
Thank you, Kevin! We truly appreciate the support!
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
Is there a substitute for the heavy cream? maybe half and half?
That should work! It just won’t be quite as creamy. 😊
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
This dish is excellent- so delicious! I made it just as the recipe said and will definitely make it again. So easy and sooo good!
Thank you, Ellen! We’re so glad you enjoyed it! 😊
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
Made this amazing one pot wonder tonight with one small motification, by adding some Italian seasoned hamburger. We all loved it. Thanks ladies. Oh, and adding the measurements and bolding the key points in the directions, genius!!
We’re so glad you were able to make it work for you and enjoyed it! Thank you, Elizabeth! 😊
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
Adding the measurements to the directions is literally genius. No one does this! It makes all the difference instead of always having to scroll back and forth etc. thank you!
We’re so glad you find it helpful! We hope you enjoy the recipe. 😊
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
Delicious! Would reduce the chicken stock a bit and cook for a bit longer as well if you’re not the biggest fan of al dente pasta! Otherwise very solid will make again (:
Thank you for the feedback! We’re so glad you enjoyed it. 😊
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
Easy recipe with so much flavor. It will be added to the rotation of meals for our family. thank you
We’re so happy to hear this! Thank you for trying it. 😊
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
Wow. I’m always skeptical of one pot pastas. I feel like the pasta is never cooked right or the flavors are off. This is amazing! Will be adding to my rotation I love spicy so it was great for me, but it is spicy! So be warned if you can’t tolerate a lot of spice
Thank you so much, Corinne! We’re so glad you enjoyed it. 😊
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
This was so flavorful! I used only a tsp of chili flakes and was just right for me. My husband loved it and shared with my good friend and her husband loved it too! Thanks again for another keeper!
We’re so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for trying it out, Evea. 😊
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
Ok, the measurements in the directions are a game changer for my ADHD brain. No more losing my place when I have to scroll back up and ultimately making a “30 min meal” an hour 🤣
We’re so glad you find it helpful! We hope you enjoy the recipe, Kim!
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
AMAZING! Easy ! And so nice they put the measurements in the instructions!!
Thank you, Kelsey! We’re so glad you find the measurements helpful!
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
Fam Favorite! We added fresh broccoli to the pot during the last 5 mins of cooking in place of peas and used 2oz of cream cheese in place of milk since that is what was on hand. We didn’t end up with too much extra moisture. Sooo good!
We’re so glad you were able to adjust it to suit your needs! Thank you for trying it out and taking the time to leave a review, Lisa. 😊
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
Definitely a new staple in my house! It was so easy and fast to make, and is delicious! It is a bit thinner than I was expecting but is still so so good. Only thing I did a littler different was add more spice (we love spice), and I added a few more seasonings (basil, thyme, and bay leaves). I also used plant based heavy cream because I already had it at home, and it still turned out great
We’re so glad you enjoyed it and were able to adjust it to suit your preferences! Thank you for trying it out, Kaitlyn. 😊
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
Hi Kaitlyn–I am dairy-free and would love to make this recipe. Would you mind telling me more about this plant-based heavy cream you used for your version? I typically use coconut milk or coconut cream, but am TOTALLY open to any other options, as well! Many, many thanks in advance. ♥
If you are in the US, country crock just came out with plant based heavy cream & silk makes some as well!
This is one of my top five recipes for my house meaning: kids and adults both approve! So glad you shared it. I’d love to have some extra sauce left over to serve over chicken cutlets next time I make it. Would you recommend just adding more sauce, broth, and cream, in proportion to the recipe as is, to end up with more?
Thank you, Anne! We’re so glad you enjoy it! Yes, that should work just fine. 😊
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
I made this tonight and added italian sausage and a medium zucchini. it was fantastic! Just the right amount of kick. Delicious recipe.
Thank you, Jordan! We’re so glad you enjoyed it!
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
Could you use a pesto sauce instead of marinara, or a pepper based sauce? I can’t eat tomato’s but desperately want to try this!
You could try a pepper based sauce! We’d love to know how it turns out if you give it a try. 😊
Xo,
Alia & Radwa