Creamy Garlic Tomato Pasta
Rigatoni is tossed in a creamy garlic tomato sauce with cherry tomatoes, white wine, parsley, and optional parmesan. A cozy family pasta dinner with a silky sauce and flexible dairy swap.
Equipment
- Large Pot
- Large skillet
- Colander
- Whisk
- Wooden spoon
Ingredients
- 8 oz rigatoni pasta cooked al dente
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 8 garlic cloves minced
- 3 cups cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 cup dry white wine
- 1 teaspoon white sugar
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 cups heavy cream or plain unsweetened alt milk 1:1 swap
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1/2 cup chopped parsley
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- salt and pepper to taste
- freshly grated parmesan optional
Instructions
- Cook rigatoni in salted boiling water until al dente, then reserve 1/2 cup pasta water and drain.
- Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, then cook minced garlic and chili flakes for about 30 seconds.
- Add cherry tomatoes, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, white sugar, and sugar, then cook until the tomatoes soften.
- Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until it darkens slightly and coats the tomatoes.
- Pour in dry white wine, scrape the skillet, and simmer until the liquid reduces and the aroma mellows.
- Whisk flour into the heavy cream or alt milk, then pour it into the skillet and simmer gently until thickened.
- Add cooked rigatoni and toss until coated, using reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
- Stir in chopped parsley, adjust seasoning, and finish with freshly grated parmesan if desired.
Notes
Storage: Store cooled pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of milk, cream, or pasta water until the sauce loosens.
Freezing: Freeze for up to 2 months, but expect the cream sauce to be slightly less smooth after thawing.
Expert Tips: Whisk the flour into the cream before adding it to the skillet so the sauce thickens evenly.
Variations: Add cooked chicken, shrimp, white beans, spinach, mushrooms, or roasted red peppers for a heartier pasta.
Sauce Tips: Simmer the wine and tomato paste until glossy before adding cream for a deeper tomato flavor.