Big Rig Pasta | Oregano's Copycat Recipe (2024)

Big Rig Pasta | Oregano's Copycat Recipe (1)

Big Rig Pasta | Oregano's Copycat Recipe (2)

April 9, 2020

When my husband lived out in Phoenix, one of his favorite restaurants, Oregano’s, served something called the Big Rig Pasta. It’s a super tasty dish of rigatoni pasta covered in a spicy, chipotle-cream sauce. Since there aren’t any Oregano’s locations here in Wisconsin, we decided to try finding the recipe online. Eventually, we found one by Wee Eats and decided to give it a try.

It’s become one of our favorite dinners and we make it at least once a month. We’ve made a few tweaks here and there and have pretty much gotten it down to a science.

Keep reading to check out our copycat recipe for Oregano’s Big Rig Pasta! My mouth is watering just thinking about it!

Ingredients

  • 1-2 tablespoonsolive oil (enough to cover the bottom of your pan)
  • 1 smallyellow onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
  • 2 celery ribs, chopped
  • 2-3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1-2 tablespoons minced chipotle peppers, depending on how spicy you want it
  • 1 28-ounce can whole tomatoes
  • Salt & pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 4 fresh basil leaves + more for garnish
  • 1 lb. box rigatoni pasta
  • Optional: garnish with fresh basil, parmesan cheese and shredded grilled chicken
ingredient Notes

We always use the pre-minced garlic in the glass jar. A 1/2 teaspoon of minced garlic = approx. 1 garlic clove.

Chipotle peppers are typically found near the salsas. We buy the brand La Costena that can be found at Walmart and have used both this one in a glass jar and this one in a tin can. The chipotle peppers are what make this dish spicy (we always choose to add 2 tablespoons instead of 1).

I would highly recommend using fresh basil for this recipe – it makes a world of difference! However, if you don’t have fresh basil, you can substitute it for 1/2 teaspoon of dried basil.

Don’t worry about chopping the vegetables perfectly, everything will be puréed at the end.

If you want to add some protein, I would recommend grilled, shredded chicken. It tastes amazing on top of this dish!

Step by Step Instructions

Step 1

Warm the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery and saute. Stir occasionally until the vegetables are softened but not browned (5-10 minutes or so).Sprinkle with salt and pepper and stir again to coat. Add garlic and stir until fragrant.

Step 2

Add tomatoes and crush with a spoon. Cover and cook at a gentle simmer for 30 minutes, or until the vegetables are completely tender.

Step 3

Add chipotles peppers and 4 whole basil leaves, stir. Simmerwith lid slightly ajar for 15 more minutes. This is a good time to start cooking the pasta noodles and grilling the chicken.

Step 4

Remove the 4 basil leaves with a pair of tongs (if you used dried basil, obviously you skip this part). Ladle the sauce into a blender. We use this Vitamix blender;a regular blender will do, you just might have to do it in batches so it doesn’t jam up! Puree the sauce until super smooth. We’ll run the blender on high for a few minutes.

Step 5

Once pureed, transfer it back to the pan, stir in the cream, place it back over low heat, and cover it. Bring the sauce to a simmer for a few minutes.

Step 6

Drain the noodles and toss with the chipotle-cream sauce. Garnish with fresh-cut basil, parmesan cheese, and grilled shredded chicken, if desired.

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  1. Big Rig Pasta | Oregano's Copycat Recipe (9)

    Jerrion March 8, 2021 at 8:27 am

    I made this last night. Big rig pasta at Oregano’s is a family favorite. It was so good and very very close to the original! I did have to use more heavy cream than the recipe called for though.

    Reply

  2. Big Rig Pasta | Oregano's Copycat Recipe (10)

    Christina Purcellon February 26, 2021 at 4:09 pm

    I’ve made this a handful of times after living in Arizona and missing it so much. I recently went back this week and got the big rig and I will tell you what I like this recipe more! Thank you so much for sharing.

    Reply

  3. Big Rig Pasta | Oregano's Copycat Recipe (11)

    Kevraon August 25, 2020 at 8:59 pm

    Yum! We just moved away from Arizona and I’ve been missing this dish!

    Reply

  4. Big Rig Pasta | Oregano's Copycat Recipe (12)

    Yurion July 18, 2020 at 8:20 pm

    Thank you for sharing this recipe! The Big Rig was my favorite at Oreganos and after going vegan I missed it so much! I just substituted the cream for cashews in the blender and used some vegan Parmesan cheese. Paired with some veganized garlic bread and Meatless-balls, I was in heaven! My husband and I were fighting over leftovers!

    Thanks again, will definitely be making this over and over!

    Reply

  5. Big Rig Pasta | Oregano's Copycat Recipe (13)

    Katieon April 24, 2020 at 11:42 am

    We have some ground Angus to use up. Do you think this recipe would taste okay with a red meat versus chicken?

    Reply

    • Big Rig Pasta | Oregano's Copycat Recipe (14)

      Kristen Carlsonon April 29, 2020 at 11:36 am

      We’ve only ever used chicken but I would definitely give it a try! You should let me know if you like it, I’d be interested to know!

      Reply

    • Big Rig Pasta | Oregano's Copycat Recipe (15)

      Jamieon October 27, 2021 at 2:04 pm

      I hope you tried it with red meat! I normally add some sweet or spicy italian sausage to mine and it’s delicious!

      Reply

      • Big Rig Pasta | Oregano's Copycat Recipe (16)

        Ginaon July 22, 2022 at 10:27 pm

        I made this tonight and I agree this is as good of not better than Oreganos! And with inflation, this is so much cheaper to eat at home plus I have tons of leftovers!! Excellent job figuring out this recipe thank you! Now do you know how they make the chipotle dressing that goes on the pablo picasso salad? Thanks again

        Reply

    • Big Rig Pasta | Oregano's Copycat Recipe (17)

      Renieon May 27, 2023 at 8:25 pm

      Yes!! It’s not the same as grilled chicken, but I’m a beef lover & I’ve made this for years–now I want to do it your way !🧡

      Reply

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Big Rig Pasta | Oregano's Copycat Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Do you put oregano or Italian seasoning in spaghetti? ›

Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes and tomato paste and stir to mix well. Add basil, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning and salt. Stir well to combine. Reduce heat to low, cover and let simmer for about an hour.

What seasoning should I put in pasta? ›

These delicious flavorings will bring beneficial plant compounds to your meal.
  1. Basil. Basil is a flavorful herb and a mainstay in many Italian dishes, including pasta. ...
  2. Oregano. Oregano is a culinary herb known for its peppery and pungent taste. ...
  3. Rosemary. ...
  4. Red pepper flakes. ...
  5. Garlic powder.
Apr 11, 2022

Is oregano good with pasta? ›

Basil, oregano, parsley, marjoram are perfect, I just wouldn't go for woody herbs like thyme, rosemary or sage. You could also use dried herbs in case your herb garden has already closed its season.

What can I add to pasta? ›

The beautiful thing about Pasta is that you can invent anything and it will work, A can of tuna, fresh tomato, some herbs; the standard Aglio, olio, peperoncino (garlic, olive oil and crushed red peppers) Butter and Parmigiano; Broccoli , garlic and olive oil, Basically anything that you have that has a distinct flavor ...

What gives spaghetti sauce depth of flavor? ›

Herbs: Add some dried herbs such as oregano, basil, or thyme for some extra flavor. Red pepper flakes: If you like some heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce. Parmesan cheese: Grate some Parmesan cheese over the top of the spaghetti before serving.

Do real Italians use oregano? ›

Ironically, oregano is not as commonly used in Italian cooking as other herbs, such as parsley or basil. Oregano is more flavorful in its dried form and is used more commonly in southern Italian and Sicilian dishes. Health benefits of oregano include high amounts of Omega-3s, iron, manganese, and antioxidants.

How can I make my pasta more flavorful? ›

Olive oil or butter and herbs. Adding a fat to the pasta makes it taste better if you're poor and need something. I also add oregano and/or basil. Butter, eggs, and cheese.

What are 4 typical herbs used in pasta dishes? ›

Stock These 4 Herbs For Delicious Italian Cooking
  • Basil. ...
  • Rosemary. ...
  • Oregano. ...
  • Thyme. ...
  • Authentica Kitchen Tip: the flavour of dried herbs takes time to release so it's recommended to almost always add them during the cooking process, not after.

What herbs taste good in pasta? ›

Fresh herbs add so much flavor to a dish. In this recipe, basil, oregano, chives, thyme and parsley turn a normal bowl of penne pasta into an extraordinary main dish meal.

How much oregano should you put in spaghetti sauce? ›

Mom's Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
  1. 1 pound ground beef (15-20% fat or more)
  2. 1 onion, chopped.
  3. 4 cloves garlic, minced.
  4. 1 small green bell pepper, diced.
  5. 1 28 oz. can diced tomatoes or 4 medium sized Roma tomatoes, cubed.
  6. 1 16 oz. can tomato sauce.
  7. 1 6 oz. can tomato paste.
  8. 2 teaspoons dried oregano (or fresh 4 sprigs)
Apr 30, 2013

How much oregano to use in pasta? ›

If you are using dried oregano, use 1/2 teaspoon up to a full teaspoon depending on taste. My family loves oregano and I grow it myself, so I usually use a teaspoon in red sauce.

Do Italians put oregano on pasta? ›

Oregano is one of the aromatic herbs that can end up in a sauce that ends up on pasta or pizza, or as a topping. It's probably more common in Italian-American cuisine.

What not to do when making pasta? ›

Cooking pasta: 5 mistakes
  1. Toss the pasta when the water is cold. This is probably the most common and also the most serious mistake you can make in cooking pasta. ...
  2. Using the wrong measure of salt. ...
  3. Cooking pasta in a small pot. ...
  4. Overcooking the pasta. ...
  5. Drain the pasta too much.
Sep 14, 2023

What can I put on pasta instead of tomato sauce? ›

Some options include:
  • **Pesto Sauce:** A flavorful blend of basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil.
  • **Alfredo Sauce:** A creamy sauce made with butter, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese.
  • **Olive Oil and Garlic Sauce:** Sauté garlic in olive oil for a simple, aromatic alternative.
Jan 26, 2023

What is the most popular pasta dish? ›

The most famous pasta dishes are:
  • Spaghetti Bolognaise.
  • Lasagne.
  • Fettuccine Alfredo.
  • Pasta Carbonara.
  • Ravioli.
  • Pasta alla Norma.
  • Spaghetti alle Vongole.
  • Macaroni Cheese.
Oct 24, 2023

Do Italians use oregano in spaghetti? ›

I use it on almost any Italian dish I cook (along with a host of others, of course). the answer is definitely a big NO! let start clarifying the most important thing, there's no such a thing as a Spaghetti Sauce. The red sauce is called Sugo di Pomodoro and oregano has nothing to do with it apart from few exceptions!

Do Italians use oregano in spaghetti sauce? ›

Italians don't use oregano much, thank God. Use parsley or basil. How do Italian restaurants make that good tomato sauce? (It has a way more intense tomato flavor than the sauce made at home.)

Is oregano a good spice for spaghetti? ›

Oregano:this has been used in homemade remedies for thousands of years and is a key ingredient in Mediterranean cooking. It goes perfectly in dressings for salads, with cheese, meat, eggs and, of course, pasta. It can be used fresh, but its aroma is stronger when dried.

Do you put oregano in spaghetti? ›

It's simple! Sauté onions and garlic in olive oil, add a couple tablespoons of tomato sauce and heat it up for a minute or so, then add the tomatoes. Add the dried spices: oregano, thyme, bay leaf, a tablespoon of sugar, and red pepper flakes. Stir well and simmer for at least one hour, but up to three hours.

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