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Italian Sausage Rigatoni

Italian sausage rigatoni - featured image
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A creamy, comforting pasta dinner featuring savory Italian sausage, rigatoni, and a luscious tomato cream sauce. This easy one-pot meal is perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings and comes together in about 35 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 14 oz rigatoni pasta
  • 1 lb Italian sausage, casings removed (mild or spicy, pork or turkey)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 oz Parmesan cheese, freshly grated (plus more for serving)
  • Handful fresh basil, chopped (plus more for serving)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add rigatoni and cook until just al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add Italian sausage and break up with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan.
  3. Add chopped onion to the pan and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Pour in crushed tomatoes and chicken broth. Sprinkle in Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes (if using). Season with salt and pepper. Simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens.
  5. Reduce heat to low. Slowly stir in heavy cream until the sauce is velvety and orange-hued. Simmer for 2 minutes. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water.
  6. Add drained rigatoni to the skillet with the sauce. Toss well to coat, adding reserved pasta water as needed for a silky finish. Simmer for 2-3 minutes to let the flavors mingle.
  7. Remove from heat. Stir in grated Parmesan and chopped basil. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot, garnished with extra Parmesan and basil.

Notes

For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free rigatoni. For dairy-free, substitute plant-based cream and cheese. Add sautéed veggies like spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers for extra nutrition. Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. Toss pasta gently to avoid breaking the rigatoni. Leftovers keep well for up to 4 days in the fridge or 2 months in the freezer.

Nutrition

Keywords: Italian sausage rigatoni, creamy pasta, easy dinner, one-pot meal, sausage pasta, weeknight dinner, comfort food, Italian recipe

Find it online: https://tempotaste.com/italian-sausage-rigatoni-recipe-easy-creamy-pasta-dinner-idea/