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Rigatoni with Sausage, Tomatoes & Zucchini

Rigatoni with Sausage, Tomatoes & Zucchini
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Easy Rigatoni with Sausage, Tomatoes & Zucchini is a hearty, flavorful pasta dish combining savory Italian sausage, sweet cherry tomatoes, and tender zucchini. Ready in under 30 minutes, this comforting and vibrant recipe makes a perfect weeknight dinner that balances fresh ingredients and simplicity for a dish loved by family and friends.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 12 oz rigatoni pasta

Meat

  • 1 lb Italian sausage (ground)

Vegetables

  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium zucchini, sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

Oils & Seasonings

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • Crushed red pepper flakes (optional, to taste)

Cheese & Herbs

  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn

Instructions

  1. Cook the Rigatoni: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rigatoni until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water for the sauce.
  2. Brown the Sausage: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it apart with a spoon, and cook until nicely browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
  3. Sauté Vegetables: Add minced garlic, sliced zucchini, and cherry tomatoes to the skillet with the sausage. Cook until the zucchini is tender and the tomatoes have softened, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to blend flavors.
  4. Combine and Simmer: Lower the heat, then toss the cooked rigatoni into the skillet with sausage and vegetables. Add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce. Season with salt, black pepper, and optional crushed red pepper flakes. Stir well and let simmer for 2 minutes to meld flavors.
  5. Final Touches: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in fresh basil and a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Serve the dish warm, optionally garnished with extra cheese and basil leaves.

Notes

  • Use quality Italian sausage for best flavor.
  • Do not overcook zucchini; keep it slightly firm for texture contrast.
  • Reserve pasta water to help bind the sauce without diluting the flavors.
  • Add fresh basil at the end to retain bright, aromatic notes.
  • Cook pasta al dente to prevent mushiness and better hold the sauce.
  • Properly sear the sausage to develop deep, rich flavors.

Nutrition

Keywords: rigatoni pasta, Italian sausage, cherry tomatoes, zucchini, easy pasta recipe, quick dinner, one-pot pasta, weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://eazyum.com/rigatoni-with-sausage-tomatoes-zucchini/