Go Back
Spicy Beef Rigatoni Recipe (Inspired by the Classic)

Creamy Spicy Beef Rigatoni

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 16 oz Rigatoni pasta Cooked al dente
  • 1 lb Ground beef 80/20 blend preferred
  • 2 tbsp Olive oil
  • 1 whole White onion Finely chopped
  • 3 cloves Garlic Minced
  • 2 tbsp Calabrian chili paste Adjust to preferred heat level
  • 6 oz Tomato paste
  • 1 cup Heavy cream Room temperature
  • 4 tbsp Unsalted butter Cut into pieces
  • 1/2 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano Freshly grated
  • 1/4 cup Fresh basil Roughly chopped

Instructions
 

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook rigatoni according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the beef from the pan and set aside.
  • In the same skillet, lower the heat to medium. Add the finely chopped white onion and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and Calabrian chili paste, cooking for 1 additional minute.
  • Add the tomato paste to the skillet. Cook, stirring frequently, until the paste darkens to a deep red color, roughly 5 minutes.
  • Reduce the heat to low. Slowly whisk in the heavy cream and unsalted butter until the mixture forms a smooth, rich sauce.
  • Stir the browned beef back into the sauce. Add the cooked rigatoni and toss vigorously to coat. Pour in reserved pasta water, 1/4 cup at a time, until the sauce reaches your preferred consistency.
  • Remove from heat. Stir in the grated Parmigiano-Reggiano and fresh chopped basil. Serve immediately.