These 15 best rigatoni pasta recipes will find their way to your dinner rotation—#14 bounds to impress everyone at the table!
Let’s take a break from the famous linguine, the go-to spaghetti, and the all-time favorite fettuccine.
It’s about time to give rigatoni some love!
This tube-shaped pasta is larger than penne and ziti, making it the perfect vessel for heartier sauces.
And their ridges make them especially good at holding onto the sauce, so you can be sure that every bite will be as flavorful as the last.
You can use it for a heartier dish by pairing it with a meaty sauce, or go vegetarian and enjoy it with a lighter dressing.
So, ditch the takeout menu and try one of these 15 rigatoni pasta recipes tonight.
From classics like easy Sausage Rigatoni to Ricotta Stuffed Rigatoni Pie, there’s a dish for everyone.
My favorite from this list is #14, so be sure to try that!
For a filling and flavorful dish, this creamy Rigatoni Fiorentina just really hits the spot.
This dish is sure to please with tender chicken breast, cheese, and a creamy sauce.
This recipe calls for some vodka in the sauce, but don’t let that scare you off.
It simply helps balance the dish.
Especially in rigatoni recipes like this one, the vodka adds a touch of heat and heightens the flavor at every turn.
On top of that, the alcohol emulsifies with the cream, making for a smooth and velvety finish.
This rigatoni recipe is a copycat version of the famous pasta dish from Carbone, a popular New York City restaurant.
Although a copycat of their famous spicy rigatoni with vodka, this dish is anything but ordinary.
The key to this pasta fare is the quality of the ingredients.
Make sure to use a good quality vodka and tomato sauce, and don’t skimp on the Parmesan cheese.
The result is a mouthwatering and spicy dish that will have you returning for more.
With a generous amount of ground beef, Italian sausage, and cheese, this Baked Rigatoni Pasta is sure to be a hit.
Every layer is packed with flavor, resulting in a dish that’s both hearty and comforting.
For this recipe, you’ll need a jar of your favorite marinara sauce.
I like to use homemade marinara sauce, but feel free to use whatever you have on hand.
If you’re short on time, you can use a store-bought sauce jar.
And if you have any leftovers, they reheat well, so feel free to make a double batch.
You can reach out for this on a busy weeknight and know that everyone will be happy.
Who says that only meat lovers can enjoy a hearty baked rigatoni dish?
This recipe is for all the veggie lovers out there.
It’s packed with veggies like mushrooms, zucchini, and fresh spinach.
And it’s just as cheesy and delicious as the meaty versions.
This is the one for you if you’re looking for a satisfying dish.
So, turn up the heat in your oven and get ready to enjoy a mouthwatering veggie-packed meal.
This easy Sausage Rigatoni is a weeknight dinner dream.
It comes together in 30 minutes and only requires a few simple ingredients.
It’s just loaded with savory goodness!
The combination of Italian sausage, garlicky tomato sauce, and rigatoni is always a winner for me.
This one’s aptly called “easy” for a reason, but the simplicity of the dish doesn’t take away from its taste.
This rigatoni pasta dish is earthy and comforting, yet still light and refreshing.
It’s the perfect fall or winter meal.
The key to this pasta dish is browning the butter to nutty golden color.
And don’t skimp on the sage.
The fresh sage takes this dish to the next level.
Want to dazzle your date with a home-cooked meal?
This rigatoni dish is just the way to do it.
It’s simple yet elegant and packed with yummy goodness.
The combination of sweet Italian sausage, kale, and creamy rigatoni is sure to please.
Just a heads up: a serving requires a bit more time than some of the other recipes on this list.
But this recipe is almost guaranteed to get you a second date (or at least a spot of this dish in your date night rotation), so clear off the dining room table and light your favorite scented candles for a romantic evening.
Minimal cleanup in the kitchen is always a win, in my book.
And this One Pot Rigatoni Bolognese is the perfect example of a dish that’s both delicious and easy to clean up.
Authentic bolognese sauce is a labor of love, but this version is slightly simplified.
All you need is ground beef, some aromatics, and your favorite tomato sauce.
I like to add a bit of red wine to my sauce, but feel free to leave it out if you prefer.
It’s still packed with relish and comes together in just one pot.
This dish is the definition of comfort food.
It’s creamy, cheesy, and packed with flavor.
The key to this dish is using a good quality Prosciutto Di Modena PDO.
If you can’t find it, you can use another type of prosciutto or even pancetta.
But the Prosciutto Di Modena PDO does make a difference.
Add in some extra mushrooms if you’re a mushroom lover like me—the more, the better.
Portobello mushrooms, fresh spinach, and rigatoni pasta come together in this hearty and flavorful dish.
In just half an hour and with a few simple ingredients, you’ll have a delicious meal that the whole family will love.
The portobello mushrooms add a meaty texture to the dish, making it satisfying and filling.
And the spinach adds a nice color to the otherwise creamy dish.
If you love baked ziti, you’ll love this Ricotta Stuffed Rigatoni Pie.
It’s a giant baked rigatoni dish that’s just as cheesy and delicious as it sounds.
And it’s guaranteed to be a hit with the whole family.
And in this recipe, you’ll stuff the rigatoni with a delicious mixture of ricotta and then layer it with mozzarella and meat sauce.
Then, it’s all topped with Parmesan cheese and baked to perfection.
12. Pesto Rigatoni
You can never go wrong with a classic pesto pasta dish.
And this Pesto Rigatoni is the perfect example of a simple yet tasty pasta dish.
All you need is some good quality pesto (homemade if you can), rigatoni pasta, and Parmesan cheese.
Add ground nutmeg, some fresh parsley, and garlic bread on the side, and you’ve got yourself a delicious meal.
I’m a big fan of one-pot pasta dishes.
They’re just so easy and convenient.
And this One Pot Rigatoni Alfredo is an excellent example of a flavorful and satisfying one-pot pasta dish.
It’s gloriously smothered in a creamy Alfredo sauce and has a satisfying amount of protein.
Plus, it’s got some kale in there, too!
Who doesn’t love pizza?
And this Rigatoni Pizza Skillet is the perfect way to enjoy all pizza flavors—but in pasta form.
It’s got all the classic toppings, like pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, and tomato sauce.
But instead of being on a crust, it’s all mixed with rigatoni pasta.
So it’s basically like eating a big bowl of pizza flavor!
You’ll need a skillet for this dish, but other than that, it’s pretty much just a matter of throwing all the ingredients together and letting them simmer.
This Four Cheese Rigatoni is the perfect dish for cheese lovers.
It’s made with four different types of cheese—Parmesan, mozzarella, Fontina, and cream cheese.
So it’s nice and cheesy but still has a good balance of flavors.
Any leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to three days.
Add milk to the leftovers when you reheat them, and they’ll be just as creamy and delectable as when you first made them.
The bottom line
I love rigatoni pasta for many reasons, but primarily for its versatility.
There are so many exciting and tasty ways to prepare it, and there’s no wrong way to do it.
Plus, the pasta’s ridges help the sauce cling to it, making for more taste at every bite.
So, if you’re looking for something new, take a break from the traditional shapes and try rigatoni.
Pick a recipe from this list and prepare a gastronomic treat!
Best Rigatoni Pasta Recipe Assortment
These 15 best rigatoni pasta recipes will find their way to your dinner rotation—#14 bounds to impress everyone at the table!
Ingredients
- Rigatoni Fiorentina
- Carbone Spicy Rigatoni
- Baked Rigatoni Pasta
- Veggie Lovers Baked Rigatoni
- Sausage Rigatoni
- Rigatoni Pasta With Mushrooms, Sage, & Brown Butter
- Date Night Rigatoni With Sausage & Kale
- One Pot Rigatoni Bolognese
- Creamy Rigatoni With Mushrooms
- Rigatoni Pasta With Portobello Mushrooms & Spinach
- Ricotta Stuffed Rigatoni Pie
- Pesto Rigatoni
- One Pot Rigatoni Alfredo With Chicken & Kale
- Rigatoni Pizza Skillet
- Four Cheese Rigatoni
Instructions
- Take a look at our Rigatoni Pasta Recipes list!
- Bring the ingredients to create a new favorite dish.
- Woohoo! You made a home-cooked meal.
- Comment your thoughts on our Facebook page.