Sausage Rigatoni Recipe
Savor a creamy and hearty Sausage Rigatoni featuring tender rigatoni pasta enveloped in a rich tomato and cream sauce with Italian sausage, Parmesan cheese, and aromatic herbs. This comforting Italian-inspired dish is perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
- Author: liam
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Pasta
Meat
Sauce & Seasonings
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1.5 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 14 oz crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni pasta and cook until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until golden and translucent, about 4-5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
- Cook Sausage: Add the Italian sausage to the skillet, breaking it into crumbles with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned and fully cooked through, about 7-8 minutes.
- Make Tomato Sauce: Stir in the crushed tomatoes and Italian seasoning. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Add Cream and Cheese: Reduce heat to low and pour in the heavy cream. Stir to combine. Gradually mix in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked rigatoni to the skillet and gently stir to coat the pasta with the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen it up to your desired consistency.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the pasta. Serve hot and enjoy your creamy sausage rigatoni.
Notes
- For a spicier variation, use spicy Italian sausage.
- Reserve pasta water is useful for adjusting sauce consistency without diluting flavor.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best melting and flavor.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
- Feel free to add vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms for variation.
Keywords: Sausage Rigatoni, Italian sausage pasta, creamy pasta, comfort food, easy weeknight dinner, Italian recipe