Description
Rigatoni with Sausage, Tomatoes, and Zucchini is a flavorful and nutritious pasta dish that combines tender rigatoni with savory Italian sausage, fresh zucchini, and juicy tomatoes. This easy-to-make recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or casual family dinners, delivering a satisfying meal without the heaviness of traditional baked pasta. With its vibrant colors and rich flavors, this dish is sure to impress at any gathering. Plus, it’s versatile enough to allow for ingredient substitutions based on what you have in your pantry. Enjoy a delicious blend of comfort food that keeps things light and healthy!
Ingredients
Scale
- 3/4 lb rigatoni pasta
- 1 lb Italian sausage (mild, sweet, or spicy)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion
- 5 cloves garlic
- 2 cups grape tomatoes
- 2 small zucchini
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup white apple vinegar or chicken broth
- Fresh basil and Parmesan cheese for garnish
Instructions
- Boil salted water in a large pot and cook rigatoni until al dente.
- In a wide skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat; sauté chopped onion and optional red pepper flakes until soft.
- Add Italian sausage; cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks.
- Stir in minced garlic and tomato paste; cook briefly until fragrant.
- Add grape tomatoes and apple vinegar or broth; season with salt and pepper. Cook until tomatoes burst.
- Mix in diced zucchini and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
- Drain the cooked rigatoni (reserve some pasta water) and combine with the sauce.
- Serve hot, topped with fresh basil and grated Parmesan.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 350g)
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 60mg