Rigatoni with Sausage, Tomatoes, and Zucchini (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ Pasta & Base

01 - 3/4 lb rigatoni pasta
02 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
04 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

→ Protein & Vegetables

05 - 1 lb Italian sausage (mild, sweet, or spicy)
06 - 5 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 3 tablespoons tomato paste
08 - 2 cups grape tomatoes
09 - 2 small zucchini, diced

→ Seasonings & Finishing

10 - 1 cup white wine or chicken broth
11 - 1 teaspoon salt
12 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
13 - 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
14 - Freshly grated Parmesan cheese

# Instructions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium-high heat for the pasta.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large, wide pot over medium heat. Add onion and red pepper flakes, cooking until onion is very soft, about 10 minutes. Add sausage and break it into small pieces with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned with no pink remaining.
03 - Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the tomato paste and cook briefly.
04 - Add tomatoes, wine or broth, salt, and pepper. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes burst and release their juices. Gently press tomatoes with a wooden spoon if needed. Stir in diced zucchini and cook for 5 minutes.
05 - Add rigatoni to the boiling water and cook for 9-10 minutes until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
06 - Toss the drained pasta immediately into the pot with the sauce. Add reserved pasta water if needed for consistency. Stir in fresh basil, then divide among bowls and top with grated Parmesan cheese.

# Notes:

01 - Rigatoni works perfectly because the tubular shape catches the sauce, but you can use any tubular pasta shape you prefer.
02 - This is a lighter alternative to heavy baked pasta dishes while still being comforting and satisfying.
03 - Don't skip reserving the pasta water - it helps bind the sauce to the pasta beautifully.
04 - You can use mild, sweet, or spicy Italian sausage depending on your preference.

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