Ingredients
Scale
- 8 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon white sugar
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon flour
- ½ cup chopped parsley
- 8 oz rigatoni pasta, cooked al dente
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Freshly grated Parmesan (optional)
Instructions
- Prep like a pro: Start by mincing the garlic and halving the cherry tomatoes. Trust me, getting this out of the way makes everything flow so much smoother once you start cooking.
- Sauté the garlic: Heat your olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and a pinch of salt. Stir often to avoid burning—it should be golden and fragrant after about 5 minutes. (Pro tip: keep the heat medium-low to prevent bitter, burnt garlic.)
- Cook the tomatoes: Toss in the halved cherry tomatoes with another sprinkle of salt. Let them cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. They’ll soften, release their juices, and create a thick, jam-like base.
- Build the sauce: Stir in the chili flakes and tomato paste, letting the mixture cook for a few minutes. Then, pour in the cream and whisk together. To thicken, add your flour slurry (mixing flour and water beforehand prevents lumps!). Let it simmer for 5-10 minutes.
- Season and combine: Add parsley, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and adjust with salt and pepper. Then, gently toss the cooked rigatoni into the sauce, ensuring every piece is coated.
- Rest and serve: Let the pasta rest off the heat for 5 minutes, covered, so the sauce clings perfectly. Top with Parmesan, extra parsley, and maybe a crack of fresh black pepper before serving.
Notes
Got leftovers? Store the pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When reheating, add a splash of cream or milk to loosen the sauce and microwave in short bursts, stirring in between to ensure it heats evenly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch