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? ›

Try using 2 teaspoons dried basil leaves plus 1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves for the Italian seasoning. Or if your pantry lacks tomato paste with basil, garlic and oregano, just use a 6-ounce can of plain tomato paste plus 1/2 teaspoon sugar.

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

What can I add to pasta to make it better? ›

8 Ways to Elevate Canned Spaghetti Sauce
  1. 1 - Extra virgin olive oil. Adding a good amount of a flavorful olive oil will go a long way in infusing flavor into your sauce. ...
  2. 2 - Fresh garlic. ...
  3. 3 - Meat. ...
  4. 4 - Hot pepper flakes. ...
  5. 5 - Red wine. ...
  6. 6 - Fresh or dried herbs. ...
  7. 7 - Cheese. ...
  8. 8 - Cream and/or butter.
Feb 26, 2018

Can you put fresh oregano on 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. There are still some herbs left outside my windows, some look better than the others.

What gives spaghetti sauce depth of flavor? ›

The rich, peppery taste of many red wines enhances the other elements found in red sauce, leading to deep, delicious flavor throughout. Plus, depending on the cooking wine you choose, it either adds some sweetness or a dry element, both of which are great for marinara.

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.

What are 4 typical herbs used in pasta dishes? ›

You can do the same!
  • Basil. Often the first herb you think of when it comes to Italian cuisine, basil adds freshness to any dish. ...
  • 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.

What can I add to spaghetti sauce to make it taste better? ›

Tossing in strips of basil, a sprig of thyme or some oregano can take your sauce to the next level. Although fresh herbs might pop a bit more, dried herbs and spices can work just as well. Sprinkling in some red pepper flakes, a pinch of parsley and a dash of salt and pepper can liven up your jarred pasta sauce.

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 gives pasta more flavor? ›

This is the time to add a final hit of black pepper, grated cheese and a splash of acidity – red or white wine vinegar or lemon juice to brighten up the flavour. I often stir some chopped basil, parsley, rocket (arugula) or watercress through once the pan is off the heat.

Do Italians use oregano in pasta sauce? ›

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. As with other such aromatic herbs, it can actually have more flavor and aroma in dried form.

Is basil or oregano better in spaghetti sauce? ›

When it comes to spice, the consensus is that fresh garlic, browned onions, bell peppers and dried oregano and basil (not “Italian Spice” mixtures) yield the best old-fashioned flavor. If you opt for fresh basil then go fresh all the way and get fresh oregano too.

How much oregano to put 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. However, if I am making a primavera sauce, use 2 teaspoons, which you can see here. i don't use oregano a lot when it comes to pasta.

Should I put oregano in my spaghetti? ›

You can flavour your pasta by adding oregano to the sauce. This will ensure that the paste is evenly flavoured with oregano. If you still feel, a little more oregano could be added, you can do that later just before eating it.

Does oregano go well with spaghetti? ›

When it comes to spice, the consensus is that fresh garlic, browned onions, bell peppers and dried oregano and basil (not “Italian Spice” mixtures) yield the best old-fashioned flavor. If you opt for fresh basil then go fresh all the way and get fresh oregano too.

Do Italians use oregano in spaghetti? ›

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! the right herb for Sugo di Pomodoro, both for Pasta and for Pizza, is fresh Basil.

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.

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