Description
This Rigatoni with Sausage, Tomatoes, and Zucchini recipe is a hearty and flavorful Italian-inspired pasta dish perfect for a wholesome family meal. Tender rigatoni pasta is combined with a savory sausage and vegetable sauce made from sautéed onions, garlic, grape tomatoes, zucchini, and a splash of white wine or chicken broth. Enhanced with fresh basil and finished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, this dish balances robust flavors with vibrant freshness in just 40 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 3/4 lb rigatoni pasta
Sauce
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 lb Italian sausage (mild, sweet, or spicy)
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 cups grape tomatoes
- 1 cup white wine or chicken broth
- 2 small zucchini, diced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni pasta and cook until al dente, usually about 10-12 minutes, then drain and set aside, reserving some pasta water.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and crushed red pepper flakes (if using) and sauté until the onion is translucent and soft, about 3-4 minutes. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned through, around 7-8 minutes.
- Add Flavorings: Stir in the minced garlic and tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes to deepen the flavors. Then add the grape tomatoes and cook until they begin to soften, about 3-4 minutes.
- Simmer the Sauce: Pour in the white wine or chicken broth and add the diced zucchini, salt, and black pepper. Let the sauce simmer gently until the zucchini is tender and the flavors meld together, about 8-10 minutes.
- Combine with Pasta: Toss the cooked rigatoni pasta in the sauce, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time if the sauce needs loosening to coat the pasta evenly. Stir in the chopped fresh basil for a burst of freshness.
- Serve: Divide the pasta into bowls and generously top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately while warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Use mild, sweet, or spicy Italian sausage depending on your spice preference.
- White wine adds depth but chicken broth is a great non-alcoholic substitute.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency for better coating.
- Fresh basil is key to balancing the rich sausage and tomato flavors.
- This dish is best enjoyed fresh but can be refrigerated for up to 2 days.
