Indulge in a culinary journey with our creamy basil sauce for rigatoni, a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. Immerse yourself in a velvety sauce, infused with the aromatic essence of basil, garlic, and Parmesan cheese, delicately coating perfectly cooked rigatoni pasta. Discover a delightful blend of textures, from the tender pasta to the creamy sauce, complemented by the nutty crunch of toasted pine nuts. This recipe promises an explosion of flavors, leaving you craving more.
In addition to the classic creamy basil sauce for rigatoni, our article offers a delightful array of variations to satisfy diverse culinary preferences. Embark on a culinary adventure with our sun-dried tomato pesto sauce, a vibrant fusion of flavors that combines the sweetness of sun-dried tomatoes with the aromatic freshness of basil. For those seeking a lighter option, our pesto sauce without nuts offers a creamy and flavorful alternative. And if you're craving a touch of spice, our arugula pesto sauce delivers a peppery kick, perfectly balanced by the creamy sauce and tender pasta.
RIGATONI AL SEGRETO (RIGATONI WITH SECRET SAUCE)
This Rigatoni al Segreto recipe was the most closely guarded secret at Gino's, one of New York City's most famous Italian restaurants. When it closed, the recipe got out. But I think the amount of butter was way too low. So here's my version.
Provided by Chef John
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian
Time 1h10m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Heat olive oil in saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onions, salt. Cook until no longer white and starting to turn translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic; cook about 1 minute. Add chili flakes and blended tomato sauce. Bring to a simmer; adjust heat to medium to medium-low. Simmer gently, stirring occasionally, for 45 to 60 minutes. Reduce heat to low.
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook rigatoni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes (5 minutes from doneness).
- Add about 2/3 of the basil to the sauce. Stir in butter. When butter melts, add cheese in 3 increments.
- Drain pasta; transfer to sauce. Stir until rigatoni are evenly coated with sauce. Serve sprinkled with the remaining basil and a dusting of grated cheese.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 595.9 calories, Carbohydrate 57.9 g, Cholesterol 48.1 mg, Fat 33 g, Fiber 4.5 g, Protein 17.7 g, SaturatedFat 12.9 g, Sodium 1431.4 mg, Sugar 3.8 g
CREAMY RIGATONI FLORENTINE
Pan-roasted garlic adds heady savor to a rich and creamy basil-infused tomato sauce. Tender cubes of sauteed chicken and fresh, green spinach go for a quick simmer along with cooked rigatoni. Toss this marvelous meal with mozzarella cheese and serve.
Provided by Colleen
Categories Main Dish Recipes Pasta Chicken
Time 55m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook rigatoni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat; saute chicken until no longer pink in the center, about 10 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate. Add mushrooms to skillet; saute until mushrooms are tender, 5 to 10 minutes. Add garlic; saute until fragrant and golden, 1 to 2 minutes.
- Stir spaghetti sauce, half-and-half, and Italian seasoning into mushroom mixture; cook and stir over medium heat until sauce thickens, 10 to 15 minutes. Mix cooked chicken and spinach into sauce and cook until spinach is wilted, about 5 minutes.
- Stir pasta into sauce and add mozzarella cheese; stir until cheese melts. Garnish dish with Parmesan cheese and fresh basil.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 591.7 calories, Carbohydrate 58.6 g, Cholesterol 90.8 mg, Fat 24.7 g, Fiber 5.2 g, Protein 34.5 g, SaturatedFat 9.9 g, Sodium 577.9 mg, Sugar 10.4 g
CREAMY SAUSAGE RIGATONI
Steps:
- Cook pasta as directed on package, omitting salt.
- Meanwhile, remove casings from sausage if necessary; crumble sausage into large skillet sprayed with cooking spray. Cook on medium heat until evenly browned, stirring occasionally. Add garlic, cook and stir 30 sec. Add pasta sauce and cream cheese; mix well. Cook on low heat 3 to 5 min. or until cream cheese is completely melted and sauce is well blended, stirring frequently.
- Drain pasta. Add to pasta sauce mixture; mix lightly. Top with basil and Parmesan.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 400, Fat 26 g, SaturatedFat 11 g, TransFat 0 g, Cholesterol 65 mg, Sodium 660 mg, Carbohydrate 25 g, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 4 g, Protein 14 g
Tips:
- To make a creamy basil sauce, start by combining heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, fresh basil leaves, garlic, salt, and pepper in a food processor or blender.
- Pulse until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- If the sauce is too thick, add a little milk or water to thin it out.
- If the sauce is too thin, add more Parmesan cheese or grated Romano cheese to thicken it.
- Taste the sauce and adjust the seasonings as needed.
- Use the creamy basil sauce to top pasta, chicken, fish, or vegetables.
- Garnish the dish with fresh basil leaves or chopped parsley.
Conclusion:
Creamy basil sauce is a versatile and delicious sauce that can be used to enhance a variety of dishes. It is easy to make and can be customized to your own taste preferences. Whether you are looking for a simple sauce to top your pasta or a more complex sauce to serve with chicken or fish, creamy basil sauce is a great option. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy way to add flavor to your meal, try making creamy basil sauce.
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