Description
Creamy Italian Sausage Rigatoni is a hearty and flavorful pasta dish featuring perfectly cooked rigatoni tossed in a rich tomato and heavy cream sauce with savory Italian sausage, fresh herbs, and parmesan cheese. This family-friendly meal combines rustic Italian flavors with a luscious creamy texture, making it a comforting and satisfying dinner option.
Ingredients
Scale
Sausage and Vegetables
- 2 Tablespoons Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 large Onion, diced
- 4 Garlic Cloves, minced
- 1 1/2 lbs Italian Sausage (can reduce to 1 lb for less sausage)
Sauce
- 2 (28-ounce) cans Whole or Crushed Tomatoes
- 1/4 cup Fresh Basil, chopped (or 1 Tablespoon dried basil)
- 1/4 cup Fresh Oregano, chopped (or 1 Tablespoon dried oregano)
- 1 teaspoon Red Chili Flakes
- 2 teaspoons Salt
- 1 teaspoon Pepper
- 1 1/2 cups Heavy Cream
- 1 1/2 cups Grated Parmesan Cheese (divided)
Pasta
- 1 lb Rigatoni Pasta
Instructions
- Cook the Sausage and Vegetables: Heat a large pot over medium heat and add the olive oil. Add the diced onion and cook for 7-8 minutes until softened. Next, add the minced garlic and Italian sausage and continue to cook for another 7-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sausage starts to brown and is cooked through.
- Cook the Pasta: While the sausage is cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni and cook according to package instructions, approximately 9-11 minutes, until al dente. Drain the pasta once cooked and set aside.
- Prepare the Sauce: Add canned tomatoes to the sausage mixture. If using whole tomatoes, blend them until smooth before adding. Stir in the fresh basil, oregano, red chili flakes, salt, and pepper. Allow the sauce to come to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer gently for 5-7 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Make It Creamy: Pour in the heavy cream and add 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese to the sauce. Stir thoroughly and let it simmer on medium-low heat for 5-7 minutes to develop a creamy, rich consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained rigatoni directly into the sauce and stir well to coat the pasta evenly. For a thicker sauce, let the combined mixture simmer an additional 10 minutes. Otherwise, proceed to serving.
- Serve: Plate the pasta and garnish with the remaining 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves. Serve immediately for the best flavor and enjoy your creamy Italian sausage rigatoni!
Notes
- You can substitute turkey sausage for a leaner option.
- Using fresh herbs enhances flavor but dried herbs work well too.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, increase the amount of red chili flakes.
- This dish is best served hot and fresh; leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated gently.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute rigatoni with gluten-free pasta.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing and Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 540 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Keywords: Creamy Italian Sausage Rigatoni, Italian sausage pasta, creamy pasta recipe, sausage rigatoni, comfort food, Italian dinner, easy pasta dish
