Rigatoni Recipes

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Rigatoni is a versatile chunky pasta tube that can be enjoyed with meat, vegetarian, and seafood-based meals. The possibilities are endless for rigatoni noodles! From comfort foods to easy weeknight dinner, this pasta has the knack for making a great meal taste even better. Enjoy its texture and flavor with these mouth-watering rigatoni recipes.

Rigatoni noodles are short, wide tubes of pasta with ridges on the outside and a smooth texture inside. The name of the pasta comes from rigato, which means “ridged” in Italian.

Although rigatoni and other short pasta noodles may look similar, they have some notable distinctions. Ziti is smaller and does not have ridges, whereas penne is cut on a diagonal.

Rigatoni is best for saucy rigatoni recipes with large chunks of vegetables, meat, and/or cheese. The ridges help hold the sauce and the wide center provides space to contain the tasty chunks. When baked in various pasta dishes or even comfort foods, rigatoni's hollow tube shape allows it to hold on to the flavors well.

A good bite and structure makes this noodle perfect for delicious and easy weeknight dinner rigatoni recipes like caprese pasta salad, chicken parmesan, and meatball soup.

1. Sausage Baked Rigatoni

This easy rigatoni recipe is a sure crowd pleaser because of the sweet Italian sausage, roasted red bell peppers, and layers of decadent cheese. Add some Italian flair to this rigatoni pasta bake by cooking it with an extra dose of fennel seeds.

2. Rigatoni Alla Vodka

How about mixing pasta and vodka to make some good comfort foods? Vodka rigatoni is on the menu today, a tasty dish that's ready in under 30 minutes. Switch up your normal pasta night to this café-worthy recipe. 

3. Spicy Rigatoni

Spicy rigatoni recipes are always a hit. This tender and well-seasoned pasta meal features a fusion of bright, tangy, and spicy flavors from wholesome ingredients. Ready to serve in just 25 minutes!

4. Chicken Rigatoni

When it comes to comfort foods, few can top a steaming bowl of cheesy chicken and pasta. This family favorite has a decadent sauce clings perfectly to the al dente rigatoni pasta, so every bite bursts with flavor. Yum!

5. Rigatoni Meatball Soup

This velvety soup, filled with rigatoni and topped with mozzarella, makes for a hearty and warm dinner. The flavor is a lighter version of marinara sauce, with a hint of sweetness and savory meatballs. Perfect easy weeknight dinner!

6. Chicken Sausage Rigatoni

How does something so quick and easy taste so incredible?! Savory chicken sausage and chewy pasta in this easy rigatoni recipe will warm you up while the herbs and spices add richness.

7. Rigatoni Con Polpette And Arrabiata Sauce

Spice up your rigatoni recipes. Arrabbiata means "angry" in Italian, and this sauce certainly lives up to its name. But you’ll be amazed at the simplicity of its ingredients — just a couple of onions, garlic, crushed tomatoes, red wine, and hot sauce.

8. Roasted Red Pepper Rigatoni

This aromatic pasta dish with roasted red peppers is a complete satisfying meal in itself. Just a few ingredients and you can easily whip up comfort foods like this pasta to cheer you up on stressful days. 

9. Rigatoni Bolognese

Want a quick, easy weeknight dinner that everyone will love? Try this meaty rigatoni recipe that cooks the pasta right in the sauce!  You can choose whether to use ground beef or turkey in this recipe, but the results will be equally delicious. 

10. Rigatoni Pie

A pie made of rigatoni noodles? Why not?! The crispy edges and golden brown cheese crust make it seem like you're enjoying a delicious, deep-dish pizza. However, the cheesy center is so creamy that it seems otherworldly.

11. Chicken Parmesan Pasta

This one-pot chicken parmesan pasta is budget-friendly, kid-friendly, and comes together in a snap. This dish is loaded with flavor, thanks to the fresh herbs, al dente rigatoni noodles, and gooey mozzarella cheese. So delicious it's just as good as ordering out!

12. Rigatoni With Sausage Tomatoes And Zucchini

You know what they say – the more, the merrier! That’s why we’re adding sausage and zucchini to this pasta dish. You'll love how much flavor it has, but you won't feel weighed down after eating it! The best part? This easy rigatoni recipe is restaurant-quality!

13. Ground Beef Rigatoni

A pasta bake for an easy weeknight dinner that comes together in a flash. Loaded with ground beef, rigatoni noodles, and a creamy tomato sauce and topped with lots of cheese to make it extra delicious! Serve with green salad or garlic bread.

14. Rigatoni In Pink Sauce

The pink sauce here is actually made from a mixture of tomato sauce and cream, which gives it a lovely orange-pink color. To make this easy rigatoni recipe richer and more flavorful, the sauce base includes pancetta.

15. Pesto Baked Rigatoni

This rigatoni recipe will be a hit with everyone in your family. It only requires 4 ingredients that you probably already have on hand. Perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal when you don't feel like spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

16. Creamy Rigatoni With Mushrooms And Prosciutto

Who needs the restaurant when you can make something delectable at home? Here's a creamy pasta dish full of delicious Italian ingredients, including prosciutto and mushrooms. It's an elegant entrée that is luscious in taste and luxurious in appearance. Buon appetito! 

17. Caprese Pasta Salad

The perfect dish to bring to a potluck or serve at your next dinner party — your guests will love it! Try this refreshing rigatoni pasta salad with simple ingredients like tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, mozzarella cheese, and a zesty Italian dressing.

18. Four Cheese Rigatoni

Made with al dente rigatoni noodles tossed with a delectable sauce of cream cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan, and Fontina. It's topped with crunchy garlic breadcrumbs and then baked to perfection! What else could be better than this?

19. Pasta Alla Norma

This Italian dish is made with rigatoni noodles, tomato sauce, and eggplant slices, topped with ricotta salata cheese. It's packed with flavor and will have you and your guests coming back for more. 

20. Rigatoni With Broccoli And Turkey Sausage

A delicious way to get broccoli onto the plate of even the pickiest of eaters, it's a healthy pasta dish with fresh broccoli florets, lean turkey sausage, and freshly grated Parmesan for a simple sauce. Honestly, who can say no to this goodness?

More easy pasta recipes

• Angel hair pasta recipes
• Gemelli pasta recipes
• Farfalle recipes
• Penne recipes

Did you try any of these rigatoni pasta recipes? Let me know in the comments below.

📖 Recipe