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Creamy Italian Sausage Rigatoni Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 66 reviews

Creamy Italian Sausage Rigatoni is a rich and comforting pasta dish featuring tender rigatoni tossed in a luscious creamy sauce with browned Italian sausage, aromatic garlic, and Parmesan cheese. This flavorful meal is perfect for a cozy dinner and can be easily customized with spicy or mild sausage and added greens for extra nutrition.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 8 ounces rigatoni pasta

Sauce and Sausage

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy), casings removed
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Cook the Rigatoni: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water for later use.
  2. Brown the Sausage: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook for 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through.
  3. Sauté Aromatics: Add diced onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in minced garlic, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes if using, cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  4. Make the Cream Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Toss Pasta in Sauce: Add the cooked rigatoni to the skillet, tossing well to coat the pasta evenly in the creamy sausage sauce. If the sauce appears too thick, add reserved pasta water gradually until the desired consistency is achieved.
  6. Serve and Garnish: Serve the rigatoni immediately, garnished with freshly chopped parsley and additional Parmesan cheese if desired for enhanced flavor and presentation.

Notes

  • For a lighter variation, substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream to reduce fat content while maintaining creaminess.
  • You can add fresh spinach or kale to the sauce during the simmering step for extra nutrients and a vibrant color boost.

Keywords: Creamy Italian Sausage Rigatoni, Italian pasta recipe, rigatoni with sausage, creamy pasta sauce, easy Italian dinner, one skillet pasta, sausage rigatoni recipe

Find it online: https://zarameals.com/creamy-italian-sausage-rigatoni-recipe/