Creamy Garlic Chorizo Rigatoni Pasta
A rich, saucy rigatoni coated in a luxurious garlic, double cream, and Greek yogurt sauce tossed with savory chorizo. Completely egg-free and tailored to make six generous portions.
Prep
10 min
Cook
15 min
Total
25 min
Makes
6 servings
Created together. Shared with you.
Made by Claire + Lila
Claire created this recipe with Lila and shared it with the perimenopause community.
The feel-good payoff
Why this meal can feel especially good in perimenopause
Think practical wins: steadier energy, comfortable fullness and one less food decision. Your response is personal, so use the prompts below to notice what works for you.
Perimenopause symptoms and relief · Office on Women’s HealthSteadier energy
Feel fueled, not flattened
A complete meal with protein, carbohydrates and fats is designed to offer more staying power than a quick carb-only fix.
Notice: energy 1–3 hours later
More staying power
Make the next few hours easier
This meal is built to be more sustaining than a snack-sized stopgap, with enough substance to carry you into the next part of the day.
Notice: energy + fullness later
Clearer, simpler choices
Let the recipe do the thinking
Clear steps and a complete plate mean fewer decisions when focus is in short supply—and a more substantial meal once you are done.
Notice: focus + energy later
Setup
Get set up
Choose your servings, gather what you need, then cook along below.
Prep
10 min
Cook
15 min
Total
25 min
How many are you cooking for?
The ingredient amounts update automatically.
Equipment
Oven · Large skillet · Large pot · Whisk · Knife and cutting board
Time saver
Store leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of milk or water to restore sauce creaminess.
Do these three things first
- 1Set out all ingredients before cooking
- 2Measure the pantry ingredients before heating the pan
- 3Read through the steps once before you begin
Ingredients
Gather as you go
Ingredients
Cook along
Instructions
0 of 14 steps complete
Next: Bring a large pot of salted water…
- 01
Bring a large pot of salted water…
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boiling rolling boil over high heat.
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Add the rigatoni pasta to the boiling…
Add the rigatoni pasta to the boiling water and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until al dente (tender with a slight firm bite in the center).
Look for: al dente (tender with a slight firm bite in the center)
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Place a large skillet or Dutch oven…
While the pasta cooks, place a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat at 350°F (175°C).
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Add the diced chorizo sausage to the…
Add the diced chorizo sausage to the dry skillet and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the fat renders and the sausage turns crisp and golden-brown.
Look for: the fat renders and the sausage turns crisp and golden-brown
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Peel and finely mince the garlic cloves
Peel and finely mince the garlic cloves.
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Add the minced garlic to the skillet…
Add the minced garlic to the skillet with the chorizo and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, taking care not to burn the garlic.
Look for: fragrant, taking care not to burn the garlic
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Stir in the tomato passata and lower…
Stir in the tomato passata and lower the heat to medium-low. Simmer for 2 minutes to allow the flavors to combine.
Allow: 2 minutes
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Whisk together the Greek yogurt and double…
In a heatproof bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt and double cream until smooth.
Look for: smooth
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Ladle about 60ml (1/4 cup) of hot…
Ladle about 60ml (1/4 cup) of hot pasta cooking water into the cream and yogurt mixture while whisking constantly to temper the dairy and prevent curdling.
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Pour the tempered yogurt cream sauce into…
Pour the tempered yogurt cream sauce into the skillet with the chorizo and stir until smooth and creamy.
Look for: smooth and creamy
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Scoop out 120ml (1/2 cup) of pasta…
Scoop out 120ml (1/2 cup) of pasta water and set aside, then drain the pasta.
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Add the drained pasta directly into the…
Add the drained pasta directly into the skillet with the sauce. Toss continuously for 1 to 2 minutes over low heat until the pasta is coated in a glossy, rich sauce. If the sauce feels too thick, splash in reserved pasta water 1 tablespoon at a time.
Look for: the pasta is coated in a glossy, rich sauce
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Stir in the finely grated parmesan cheese…
Stir in the finely grated parmesan cheese until melted and fully incorporated into the sauce.
Look for: melted and fully incorporated into the sauce
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Remove from heat and serve hot immediately…
Remove from heat and serve hot immediately in warm bowls.
Ready when: everything is assembled and ready to enjoy
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