Rotini Fiorentina
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This easy Rotini Fiorentina recipe can be ready in under 30 minutes. A comforting pasta dish with an incredibly flavorful creamy tomato sauce and lots of mozzarella. The perfect easy pasta dinner for a busy weeknight.
Rotini Fiorentina
If you ever wonder what I love to make on a regular basis at my house for dinner, chances are it’s a quick pasta dish like this rotini Fiorentina. love pasta dishes and some of my favorites are dishes like cheesy taco pasta or a good bolognese. They always make a comforting and delicious meal and can be very customizable, which is the perfect opportunity to use up food from the fridge.
This Fiorentina sauce is incredibly creamy and filled with onions, garlic, and loads of flavors such as Italian seasoning which has dried oregano, basil, rosemary, thyme and marjoram. If that wasn’t enough, the red pepper flakes will add a kick of heat but it’s so easy to add more if you like it hot. It’s a hearty and comforting meal that really doesn’t require much time and effort.
Rotini Fiorentina Highlights
- DELICIOUS COMFORT FOOD. Pasta dishes just seem to ooze comfort, and this one is no exception. A very creamy and cheesy tomato-y sauce.
- READY IN 30 MINUTES. This quick and easy recipe can be on the dinner table in about 30 minutes.
- CUSTOMIZABLE. This is a very versatile meal that can easily be customized to your family’s tastes. Add a protein for a balanced dish and even throw in some veggies, such as peppers, zucchini, mushrooms or spinach.
- KID FRIENDLY. Kids can be picky eaters but pasta is usually loved by all, including adults.
- Pasta – You’ll need a small shaped pasta like rotini, rigatoni or penne.
- Butter and Oil – I like to use a combination of butter and olive oil to sauté my veggies in.
- Onion and Garlic – Essential flavor enhancers to any tomato sauce.
- Tomato passata – This is pureed, strained tomatoes, uncooked, and usually comes in bottles. If you don’t have this you can replace it with tomato puree or crushed tomatoes.
- Italian seasoning – Use either store bought or make my homemade Italian seasoning.
- Bouillon – I like to add a chicken bouillon cube for some great flavor.
- Sugar – You’ll want to add a bit of sugar whenever making a tomato sauce to balance out the flavors and cut some of the tomato acidity.
- Red pepper flakes – I love adding some red pepper flakes for a touch of heat. Feel free to adjust according to your preference.
- Cream – You’ll want to use half and half cream or heavy cream for a richer and even creamier sauce.
- Cheese – Lots of mozzarella cheese, of course. I also love to grate some Parmesan cheese over the top when serving.
- Cook the pasta: Cook the pasta al dente according to package instructions. Drain and reserve some of the pasta water. Occasionally stir pasta to ensure it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot.
- Sauté onion and garlic: Meanwhile, add the butter and olive oil to a large pan and heat over medium heat. Once the butter has melted, add the onion and cook for 3 to 5 minutes until softened and translucent. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until aromatic.
- Add tomatoes and seasoning: Add the tomato passata, Italian seasoning, bouillon cube, sugar, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, stir well and let simmer for about 5 minutes. Stir in the cream and simmer for another 2 to 3 minutes.
- Finish the pasta dish: Add the cooked pasta and mozzarella cheese to the sauce mixture and toss well to combine, until the cheese melts. Cook for a few more minutes until the pasta warms through. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water.
- Garnish and serve: Garnish with some fresh basil or parsley and some freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.
How Do You Cook Pasta Perfectly Every Time?
Make sure there is sufficient water in the pot to allow pasta enough room to cook evenly, then add add about a tablespoon of salt for every 4 quarts of liquid. You want to add enough salt, to add flavor to the pasta. Cooking to al dente is best which means the pasta is chewy and firm to the bite, but still tender. It will hold its whole shape in whatever sauce you put it in.
What Is The Difference Between Tomato Puree And Tomato Passata?
Although passata in Italian means puree, there is an essential difference between north American tomato puree and the Italian passata. The tomatoes in tomato puree are generally heated and skinned and must be deacidified before it releases its final flavor. For Passata the tomatoes are usually cold pureed and therefore raw.
What Else Can I Add To This Rotini Fiorentina Dish?
Add some fresh mushrooms, peppers, peas, or sun-dried tomatoes. If you want a protein, sauté chicken breasts or Italian sausage for a customizable pasta dish. Fresh basil or fresh spinach also is great when added at the end.
Serve This With
Quick Yeast Dinner Rolls
Air Fryer Chicken Breast
Caesar Salad Recipe
Easy Garlic Bread
Expert Tips
- Use a large pot of boiling water to cook the pasta which gives it lots of room enabling it to cook evenly.
- Save some of the pasta water. If the sauce is too thick, thin it out by using some of the reserved pasta water.
- Parmesan cheese can be substituted or use a combination of parmesan and mozzarella. Cream cheese could also be added as well.
- Add a protein like boneless chicken or sausage for a balanced meal.
- If adding spinach, I would recommend fresh instead of frozen spinach.
Leftovers
Leftovers can be stored in airtight containers in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days.
Freezing
To freeze, transfer the pasta to an airtight container and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
More Great Recipes To Try
Chicken With Blush Sauce Pasta
Rigatoni con Polpette and Arrabbiata Sauce
Pumpkin Sausage Stuffed Shells
Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks
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Rotini Fiorentina
Video
Ingredients
- 12 ounces Rotini (or other small shaped pasta like penne)
- 2 tablespoons butter (unsalted)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion (chopped)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 cups tomato passata
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 chicken bouillon cube (crumbled)
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup half and half cream
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese (shredded)
Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Cook the pasta al dente according to package instructions. Drain and reserve some of the pasta water.
- Sauté onion and garlic: Meanwhile, add the butter and olive oil to a large skillet and heat over medium heat. Once the butter has melted, add the onion and cook for 3 to 5 minutes until softened and translucent. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until aromatic.
- Add tomatoes and seasonings: Add the tomato passata, Italian seasoning, bouillon cube, sugar, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, stir well and let simmer for about 5 minutes. Stir in the cream and simmer for another 2 to 3 minutes.
- Finish pasta: Add the cooked pasta, mozzarella cheese and toss well to combine. Cook for a few more minutes until the pasta warms through. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water.
- Garnish and serve: Garnish with parsley or basil and some freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use a large pot of boiling water to cook the pasta which gives it lots of room enabling it to cook evenly.
- Save some of the pasta water. If the sauce is too thick, thin it out by using some of the reserved pasta water.
- Parmesan cheese can be substituted or use a combination of parmesan and mozzarella. Cream cheese could also be added as well.
- Add a protein like boneless chicken or sausage for a balanced meal.
- If adding spinach, I would recommend fresh instead of frozen spinach.
- Leftovers can be stored in airtight containers in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days.
Nutrition Information
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
thought this was really good. will cut down red pepper to 1/4 tsp next time as little spicy for the kids. added precooked chicken breasts at end with the pasta
So easy to put together and the whole family loved it.
This recipe has become a staple meal in our home. I make it at least once every other week. There is some magic in the particular blend of these ingredients. Don’t skip the chicken bouillon cube! Bravo all around.
Very easy and good. Will definitely add this into the meal rotation.
Easy and delicious, but with 1/2 the onion.
This was excellent!
…I made this tonight, loved it, my fussy partner loved it also, would definitely make this again