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Creamy One Pot Tuscan Sausage Rigatoni

creamy one pot tuscan sausage rigatoni - featured image
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A quick and hearty one pot meal featuring Italian sausage, rigatoni pasta, and a creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach. Perfect for busy weeknights and comfort food lovers.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) Italian sausage, mild or spicy, casing removed
  • 12 ounces (340g) rigatoni pasta
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • ½ cup (about 80g) sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (preferably packed in oil)
  • 3 cups (about 90g) fresh baby spinach
  • 3 cups (720ml) chicken broth
  • 1 cup (230g) small-curd cottage cheese, drained
  • ½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for topping
  • ½ cup (120ml) heavy cream or half-and-half
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium heat. Add Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook for 6–8 minutes until browned and cooked through. Transfer sausage to a bowl and set aside.
  2. In the same pan, add chopped onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened and translucent. Add minced garlic and sun-dried tomatoes, stirring for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Pour in rigatoni pasta and chicken broth. Stir well to submerge pasta. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cover with lid and cook for 12 minutes, stirring halfway through.
  4. Remove lid and stir in fresh baby spinach. Add heavy cream, cottage cheese, and grated Parmesan. Stir until sauce is creamy and cheese has melted.
  5. Return browned sausage to the pan. Add Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Stir and cook uncovered for 3–4 minutes to meld flavors and thicken sauce.
  6. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot with extra Parmesan cheese on top.

Notes

If sauce is too thick, add a splash more broth to loosen. If too thin, simmer uncovered longer to reduce. Use fresh Parmesan for best flavor. For gluten-free, substitute rigatoni with gluten-free pasta. For dairy-free, use coconut cream and vegan cheese substitutes. Avoid overheating when reheating leftovers to prevent mushy pasta.

Nutrition

Keywords: Tuscan sausage rigatoni, creamy pasta, one pot dinner, Italian sausage recipe, easy weeknight meal, comfort food, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach pasta

Find it online: https://avabake.com/creamy-one-pot-tuscan-sausage-rigatoni-recipe-for-easy-hearty-dinners/