Family-Time Rigatoni

Time :30

Yield :2 servings

Recipe Background

This is the kind of dish that brings everyone to the table, even when everyone's busy! Family-Time Rigatoni is a warm hug of a pasta dinner. The pasta is tender, the tomatoes are bright and sweet, and the balsamic flavor adds some tang and boldness. A sprinkling of sharp parmesan and fragrant basil bring the flavors together, just like how Family-Time Rigatoni brings the family together to share in something special! What sweet memories this dish will become!

Ingredients

6 ounces rigatoni
4 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic minced
1 (16-ounce) package cherry tomatoes halved
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
6 basil leaves torn, plus more, to taste, whole leaves, for garnish
salt to taste
black pepper to taste

Directions

In a pot of salted, boiling water, add the rigatoni and cook until about 2 minutes shy of al dente, according to the package directions.
In a large skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil and the garlic and cook undisturbed until the garlic starts to become fragrant, about 2-3 minutes.
Add the tomatoes and the balsamic vinegar to the garlic and stir to combine.
Cook the tomato mixture, while stirring frequently, until the tomatoes have softened and the balsamic vinegar has reduced by about 1/3, about 10 minutes.
Reserve 1 tablespoon of the pasta water and drain the remainder.
Add the pasta and the reserved pasta water to the tomato mixture, tossing to combine.
Cook until the pasta is al dente, about 1-2 minutes.
Transfer the skillet from the heat.
Add the parmesan and 6 of the torn basil leaves to the pasta mixture and toss to combine.
Taste the pasta mixture for seasoning and add the salt and the black pepper, as needed.
Serve hot garnished with the extra whole basil leaves.