Description
Radiatore pasta weaves Italian culinary magic through a luxurious creamy tomato sauce, blending rustic charm with silky elegance. Comfort meets sophistication in this quick, hearty dish you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 1 radiatore pasta
Main Ingredients:
- 1 can (14 ounces / 400 grams) crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a hint of heat)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil or parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare a large pot with salted water and bring to a rolling boil. Submerge radiatore pasta, cooking until it reaches a tender yet firm consistency. Carefully drain the pasta, reserving it for later integration with the sauce.
- Select a spacious skillet and warm olive oil over medium heat. Introduce finely chopped onions, gently sautéing until they transform into a translucent, soft texture. Incorporate minced garlic, allowing its aromatic essence to permeate the oil for a brief moment.
- Stream crushed tomatoes into the skillet, stirring thoroughly to combine with the sautéed aromatics. Allow the mixture to simmer, enabling the flavors to harmonize and intensify. Enhance with salt, ground black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes for a subtle kick.
- Reduce the heat to a gentle setting and gradually incorporate heavy cream, whisking continuously to create a luxurious, velvety consistency. Fine-tune the seasoning, ensuring a balanced flavor profile. Consider sprinkling Italian seasoning for an additional depth of taste.
- Transfer the perfectly cooked radiatore pasta directly into the sauce, gently folding to ensure each pasta ridge becomes completely enrobed in the creamy tomato blend.
- For a final flourish, scatter freshly chopped basil or parsley across the surface. Serve immediately, capturing the dish’s peak temperature and creamiest moment.
Notes
- Swap heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream for a dairy-free alternative that maintains the creamy texture and adds a subtle nutty undertone.
- Toast whole dried chili flakes briefly in the skillet before adding to intensify their smoky, complex heat and distribute flavor more evenly.
- Choose radiatore pasta with ridges and curves to capture more sauce, ensuring each bite is packed with rich, creamy tomato goodness.
- Enhance protein content by stirring in cooked shredded chicken, crispy pancetta, or plant-based protein crumbles directly into the sauce before combining with pasta.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg