13 Amazing Rigatoni Recipes

If you are a fan of tube-shaped pasta that is hearty and delicious, then you will definitely adore the rigatoni dishes that I have included in this article.

This pasta holds its shape beautifully and is perfect when paired with vegetables and meat.

The next time that you make pasta, grab yourself a pack of rigatoni and embellish it with an array of meat, veggies, and sauces. 

1. Four-Cheese Sausage Rigatoni 

This dish perfectly fuses mozzarella, ricotta, parmesan, and creamy goat cheese amongst its meaty mayhem. If you are looking for lashings of meat amongst oozing cheese, then this is the recipe for you. 

2. Five Cheese Rigatoni 

This gorgeous rigatoni dish is made using a homemade bechamel sauce that perfectly blends the five different cheeses contained in this dish.

This is the perfect dinner for a weeknight family meal that is guaranteed to leave you satisfied. 

3. Greek Pasta Bake

This greek pasta bake is packed full of traditional flavors that are beyond gorgeous. This amalgamation of greek-infused flavor is guaranteed to leave you feeling sufficed.

The use of rigatoni in this pasta bake ensures that the dish remains wholesome and consistent. 

4. Stuffed Ziti Fritta

If you are a lover of stuffed ziti fritta, then you have to indulge in this deliciously wholesome recipe. This rigatoni dish is perfectly crispy, and packed with oozing cheese.

This dish can be served as a starter alongside a stunning marinara dip. 

5. Rigatoni Skillet With Mushrooms And Spinach

This dish is easily made and cooked on the stove top. You can sample the delights of this skillet rigatoni dish in only 30 minutes.

The mushrooms blend wonderfully with the iron-rich spinach in this dish, and melt into the sauce beautifully.

This rigatoni dish is packed full of juicy spinach and is beautifully accompanied by some crispy garlic bread or balsamic bruschetta. 

6. Greek Pasta Salad

This refreshing, tangy pasta salad is the perfect accompaniment for summer barbecues. This rigatoni based pasta salad consists of numerous contrasting flavors that are undoubtedly drool-inspiring!

The best thing is that it only takes 30 minutes to make. 

7. Artichoke And Pea Rigatoni Pasta

If you are feeling like a meatless rigatoni dish that is packed full of wholesome flavor, then this is the dish for you. Its array of contrasting flavors is wholesome enough to satisfy the greatest appetite. 

8. Tomato Cream Rigatoni 

This traditional tomato cream rigatoni dish is perfect for summer evenings. It is incredibly easy to make and can be served up in under 25 minutes!

If you are looking for a creamy rigatoni dish that is packed full of tomato flavor, then this is the perfect dish for you and your family. The texture of this dish is silky smooth, whilst remaining sophisticated. 

9. Creamy Lemon Pasta

You will enjoy indulging in the zesty lemon essence of this creamy pasta dish. This dish tastes even better when served with a fresh salad, alongside perfectly crisped garlic bread.

This dish is perfect for those who love all things lemon, and makes the perfect meal on a summer’s day. 

10. Rigatoni Arrabbiata 

This tomato dish contains hints of spice and is perfect for a wholesome evening. It is also incredibly easy to make, utilizing the freshest ingredients in order to make the perfect midweek meal.

11. Spicy Sausage Rigatoni 

Your family are guaranteed to adore this hearty and meaty rigatoni dish. This meal can easily be whisked up on a stove top, and the smell is guaranteed to make you melt!

You can also opt for mild sausage as opposed to using spicy Italian sausage if you prefer a milder tasting dish.

However, if you are a lover of all things spicy, then this is definitely the rigatoni dish for you! 

12. Baked Rigatoni Pasta

This hearty dish is perfect for those moments when you desire wholesome, comforting food. This dish is also jam-packed with ground beef (see also our favorite ground bison recipes), alongside spicy Italian sauced, cheese, and marinara sauce.

You are guaranteed to return to this recipe time and time again.

13. Pasta Alla Norma 

If you are a lover of all things eggplant, then you should definitely try out this dish. It is packed with a wide variety of textures that are both savory and satisfying.

This dish is guaranteed to be a family favorite! If you’re looking for more delicious eggplant recipes to add to your repertoire, there are plenty of options to explore and enjoy.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Where Was Rigatoni Invented?

Rigatoni derives from Rome, Italy. However, it has established its prevalence within Italian cuisine across the globe. It is eaten often throughout the middle and southern areas of Italy. 

What Is Rigatoni Made Of?

Rigatoni is made using semolina flour and is traditionally cooked al dente in order to maintain its consistency.

How Long Should Rigatoni Cook For?

Rigatoni needs to be cooked until it is al dente. This is because the structure of the tube will collapse otherwise.

You should avoid your rigatoni becoming overly limp as this will prevent the sauce from sitting nicely inside.

The cooking time for wheat Rigatoni varies depending on the size of the pasta itself, however, it usually takes 10-14 minutes to properly cook.

Why Is Rigatoni The Best Form Of Pasta?

Rigatoni enables sauces to cling to the pasta properly due to its size. This makes this the perfect pasta to use with meat sauces.

The hearty structure of rigatoni also holds its shape when heated. The texture and overall chew of this pasta is delicious when it is cooked al dente. 

How Do You Prevent Rigatoni From Breaking?

In order to prevent rigatoni from breaking, you will need to ensure that you use a lot of water during the cooking process, and cook the pasta at a consistent heat.

You also need to ensure that you are stirring the pasta during the cooking process to avoid the rigatoni sticking to the boiling pot. 

What Sides Go Well With Rigatoni?

There are numerous sides that go well with this form of pasta. These include the following:

• Balsamic bruschetta makes an incredible side dish when served with rigatoni. 
• Asparagus wrapped in parma ham or prosciutto. 
• Cheese breadsticks.
• Stuffed olives.
• Stuffed peppers.
• Stuffed tomatoes. 
• Cucumber laden salad dishes. 
• Greek salads.
• Roasted vegetables.
  

Which Is Better: Rigatoni Or Penne Pasta?

If you are cooking more watery pasta sauces, then rigatoni is always a better choice as it is larger and therefore better able to absorb an abundance of sauce.

The ridges within rigatoni also help to absorb sauce. Whilst both forms of pasta can be used in most dishes, rigatoni is far more preferable when cooking heartier dishes. 

Is Rigate The Same As Rigatoni?

The word rigatoni derives from the Italian word ‘rigate’ which translates as lined, grooved, or ridged in English.

Rigatoni is a ridged, tubular form of pasta that greatly varies in size and diameter. 

How Much Water Do You Put In Pasta?

Using about 4 quarts of water for each pound of pasta is the best way to ensure that you are cooking your pasta consistently.

Generally speaking, the more pasta that you cook, the more liquid you should be using in order to prevent the pasta from becoming too clumpy within the boiling pot. 

Does Salt Prevent Pasta From Sticking?

Contrary to what you may believe, salt does not prevent rigatoni pasta from becoming lumpy or sticking to the pan.

It also does not help water to boil faster. However, it does add an abundance of flavor to your dish. Thus, you should ensure that you are including it in your recipe.

It is recommended that you add salt once the water is boiling to maximize it’s potential. 

What Happens If You Leave Pasta In Water For Too Long?

The starch inside the pasta will swell with absorption until it eventually disperses into the cooking water. This occurs whenever pasta is boiled for far too long.

This should be avoided at all costs as you will lose the hearty, starchy flavor of your pasta dish.

Why Is My Pasta Sticky? 

If your pasta is cooked in water that isn’t hot enough, it can become sticky. Therefore, you should allow the water to boil prior to adding your pasta.

Once you add the pasta, the temperature of the water will also drop, thus, you should stir your pasta accordingly prior to letting the water return to its boiling point. 

Conclusion 

To conclude, there are numerous rigatoni pasta dishes (see also ‘23 Easy Pasta Dishes That Can Be Made In One Pot‘) that you can easily make in under 30 minutes.

Whether you are a meat lover who is looking for a hearty dish packed full of deliciously spicy Italian sausage, or you a vegetarian who is looking to amalgamate the finest balance of eggplant and tomato, you are guaranteed to find the recipe to satisfy your every desires in the list that I have outlined above. 

It is important to note that this form of pasta can become clumpy or sticky when it is overcooked.

Therefore, you should always ensure that you are only adding in your rigatoni pasta tubes once the water has reached a stable boiling point.

This will prevent the pasta from becoming overly sticky or releasing starch into the water itself.

The release of starch occurs whenever the pasta has been boiled for too long, and you will need to ensure that your rigatoni pasta maintains its structure and consistency.

This consistency is especially important if you are planning to fill your rigatoni tubes full of delicious meat or invigorating sauces.

The tubes will need to be able to hold these ingredients accordingly, and there is nothing worse than a collapsed rigatoni tube.

Overall, this ridged-shape tubed pasta is the perfect dish to suit any occasion. 

You can serve it up as a midweek meal, or save it for a special occasion. Your family is guaranteed to find the recipes that I have outlined above drool-inspiring.

The best thing is that none of the recipes that I have listed above take long to make, neither are they strenuous to put together.

Thus, you can make a wholesome meal for your loved ones without stressing about the little details or the time that it will take to cook these pasta dishes.

If you are looking for oozing cheese, ridged texture, and an abundance of flavor, then rigatoni pasta is definitely the best choice for you!