Description
Make this delicious Creamy Sausage Rigatoni in just 30 minutes! A rich, hearty Italian pasta dish with a creamy tomato sauce and savory sausage. Perfect for a quick and comforting meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces rigatoni pasta
- 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casings removed)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Fresh parsley or basil, chopped (for garnish)
- Additional Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
- Cook the Rigatoni – Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook rigatoni until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Cook the Sausage – Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add sausage and cook until browned, breaking it into pieces. Transfer to a plate.
- Sauté the Aromatics – In the same skillet, cook onion for 2–3 minutes until softened. Add garlic, red pepper flakes, oregano, and basil. Cook for 30 seconds.
- Add Tomatoes and Simmer – Pour in diced tomatoes and tomato sauce. Stir and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Incorporate Cream and Cheese – Reduce heat to low, add heavy cream, and stir. Return sausage to the skillet, then mix in Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper.
- Combine with Pasta – Add cooked rigatoni, tossing to coat. Adjust consistency with reserved pasta water as needed.
- Serve – Garnish with fresh parsley or basil and additional Parmesan. Serve hot.
Notes
- Spicy Kick – Use hot Italian sausage and extra red pepper flakes.
- Lighter Version – Substitute half-and-half or milk for heavy cream.
- Extra Veggies – Add spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers.
- Different Pasta – Swap rigatoni for penne, fusilli, or farfalle.
- Cheese Swap – Try Pecorino Romano or mozzarella.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: pasta , dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: creamy sausage rigatoni, pasta with sausage, Italian pasta, weeknight pasta, tomato cream sauce