When you think of Italian style comfort food, what comes to mind?

For me, it’s a red sauce cheesy pasta that’s slightly spicy and topped with an endless amount of parmesan cheese.

I am never someone that feels guilty when you order pasta at a restaurant and the waiter comes by asking, “Would you like some fresh Parmesan?” I usually let them keep going until they make weird faces at me like, did she fall asleep or something? If there’s one thing I’ll never give up – it’s cheese.

This Rigatoni is perfect for any occasion and it’s quite unique. Let me tell you why.

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When should I make this dish?

• Date night – impress your significant other with this one pot dish that’s loaded with flavor. If you’re on a time crunch, it’s very simple to prepare and cook in less than an hour. Do them chores, clock & log your Peloton class, hit the shower and have plenty of time to prepare a nice meal.

• Potluck/family dinner – like I mentioned, this dish comes together quickly without compromising on any flavor. It will surely impress your dad (but let’s be real that’s a given), but also your sister who is always a picky eater.

• “Get well” meal – did you sign up for a meal train and now you’re frantically trying to figure out what to make for your friend? This is your go-go recipe.

Okay, so we’ve covered all the events this recipe is good for, but what makes it the best?

Let’s be real, there are tons of pasta recipes out there, but why this one?

1. Cooks in one pot – simplicity as its finest. Which also makes for a quick and easy clean-up. Why spend time washing tons of dishes when you got things to do and people to see.
2. Caramelized shallots – as a learned tip from Alison Roman, when you take time to slowly (key word slowly) sauté shallots, over time they will caramelize producing a decadently sweet flavor it almost melts in your mouth.
3. Anchovies and lemon juice – you may be a newbie to anchovies, but you’d be surprised what they do for a sauce. When you begin to sauté them on medium heat, they essentially dissolve and seamlessly mix into your pasta sauce with a savory hint of flavor.

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If you’re not convinced at this point, you’re probably already eating a snack because your mouth is watering with how good this sounds. Throw in some fresh garlic bread, a light salad, and you’ve got yourself a full Italian meal.

If your folks are pestering you about dessert, well you should give these s’more cookies a try!

Equipment Needed:

• Large Pot
• Pasta Strainer
• Cheese grater