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Rigatoni Baloney

A soul-warming dish that transforms humble ingredients into comfort food, featuring tender pasta tubes with savory chunks of baloney in a rich, tomato-based cream sauce.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 485

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb rigatoni pasta
  • 8 oz thick-cut baloney, diced into ½-inch cubes
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add rigatoni and cook according to package directions until al dente. The pasta should still have a slight bite since it will continue cooking in the sauce. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced baloney and cook for 3-4 minutes until edges turn golden and slightly crispy.
  3. Push baloney to one side of the skillet and add diced onion to the empty space. Cook for 3 minutes until softened and fragrant. Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until aromatic.
  4. Pour in diced tomatoes with their juices, Italian seasoning, and smoked paprika. Let this mixture simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly.
  5. Reduce heat to low and slowly stir in heavy cream. Add the drained rigatoni to the skillet, tossing gently to coat each piece. If the sauce seems too thick, add reserved pasta water gradually until you achieve the perfect consistency.
  6. Remove from heat and stir in half the Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve garnished with remaining Parmesan and fresh parsley.

Notes

Don't skip browning the baloney for rich, caramelized flavors. Avoid adding cream to boiling sauce to prevent curdling. Cook pasta until al dente since it continues cooking in the sauce. Save pasta water to help bind the sauce. Store leftovers in refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently with a splash of milk to restore creaminess. Can freeze for up to 3 months though cream sauce texture may change slightly.