Print

Creamy Sausage Rigatoni

creamy sausage rigatoni - featured image
Print Recipe

This creamy sausage rigatoni is a hearty, comforting pasta dish featuring Italian sausage, a rich tomato and cream sauce, and perfectly cooked rigatoni. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a crowd-pleaser for busy weeknights or cozy family gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz rigatoni pasta, dried
  • Salt, for seasoning pasta water
  • 1 lb Italian sausage, casings removed (spicy or mild)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
  • 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter version)
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped (optional)
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt & black pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated (plus extra for serving)
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Fill a large pot with water, add a generous pinch of salt, and bring to a boil. Add rigatoni and cook according to package instructions (10-12 minutes) until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add Italian sausage and break it up with a spoon. Cook for 5-6 minutes until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat if needed.
  3. Add diced onion to the pan with sausage and cook for 2-3 minutes until soft. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Pour in crushed tomatoes and chicken broth. Stir well, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Add heavy cream, red pepper flakes, and salt & pepper to taste. Simmer on low for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce is glossy and slightly thickened.
  5. Add drained rigatoni to the skillet (or transfer sauce to the pasta pot if needed). Toss gently, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce. Stir in Parmesan cheese and half the fresh basil.
  6. Taste and adjust seasoning. Sprinkle with remaining basil and chopped parsley. Serve hot, topped with extra Parmesan.

Notes

Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Brown sausage well for maximum flavor. Use gluten-free pasta for dietary needs, and swap sausage for plant-based alternatives for vegetarian. Cream sauces thicken as they cool, so serve immediately. Leftovers keep well and can be reheated with a splash of broth or milk.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy sausage rigatoni, pasta dinner, Italian comfort food, easy weeknight meal, hearty pasta, sausage pasta, rigatoni recipe

Find it online: https://avabake.com/creamy-sausage-rigatoni-recipe-easy-hearty-dinner-in-30-minutes/