Irresistibly Creamy Sausage Rigatoni Recipe For Cozy Dinners

Nestled in my kitchen, this creamy sausage rigatoni brings comfort with every twirling forkful.

Rich Italian sausage melts into a velvety sauce that hugs each pasta ridge perfectly.

My grandmother’s secret was always simplicity, letting quality ingredients speak loudly.

Hearty and satisfying, this dish transforms ordinary weeknight dinners into memorable moments.

Fragrant herbs and sharp parmesan dance across the plate, creating layers of deliciousness.

Each bite promises warmth and connection, transporting you straight to a cozy trattoria.

We promise this recipe will become your new go-to comfort meal.

What Makes Sausage Rigatoni a Must-Try

• This creamy sausage rigatoni offers delightful features for home cooks!
• Prepare this entire meal in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy families needing a satisfying dinner solution.
• Minimize cleanup by creating a delicious sauce and pasta directly in a single skillet, reducing kitchen work and washing dishes.
• Easily adjust spice levels with red pepper flakes or swap sausage type to match personal taste preferences, ensuring everyone enjoys their meal.
• Uses affordable ingredients like pasta, sausage, and pantry staples, delivering restaurant-quality taste without expensive components.

Ingredients to Gather for Sausage Rigatoni

• Rigatoni: Hearty pasta with ridges perfect for holding creamy sauce, choose bronze-cut pasta for better sauce adherence.

• Italian Sausage, Onions, Garlic: Bold meat and classic flavor base, select spicy or mild sausage depending on preference.
• Fennel Seeds: Authentic Italian sausage flavor enhancer, adds subtle sweet and aromatic notes.

• Chicken Broth: Creates depth and liquid for sauce, low-sodium recommended for better control of saltiness.
• Heavy Cream: Provides rich, luxurious texture to sauce, full-fat version ensures best consistency.
• Pasta Water: Starchy liquid helps bind sauce, always reserve before draining pasta.

• Red Pepper Flakes: Adds gentle heat, adjust quantity for personal spice tolerance.
• Tomato Paste: Concentrates flavor and provides rich color, ensures deep umami taste.
• Parmesan Cheese: Sharp, salty cheese for final flavor boost, freshly grated recommended.
• Fresh Parsley or Basil: Bright herb garnish for freshness, adds color and herbal notes.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasoning, adjust to personal taste preference.

How to Cook Sausage Rigatoni Without Fuss

Step 1: Boil Pasta Perfectly

Fill a large pot with water and generously salt it. Toss in rigatoni and cook until it reaches that perfect al dente texture. Once done, drain the pasta but save a splash of pasta water for later magic.

Step 2: Sizzle Savory Foundations

Grab a large skillet and warm some olive oil. Toss in finely chopped onions and let them soften and become translucent. Add Italian sausage, breaking it into delicious crumbles as it browns. Optional tip: drain any excess grease for a cleaner dish.

Step 3: Build Flavor Layers

• Minced garlic
• Fennel seeds
• Red pepper flakes
• Tomato paste

Let these ingredients dance together for a minute or two. Pour in chicken broth and let the mixture bubble and reduce slightly.

Step 4: Create Luxurious Sauce

Lower the heat and introduce heavy cream, allowing the sauce to transform into a velvety masterpiece. The sauce will thicken and become gloriously rich. Gradually incorporate reserved pasta water to achieve your ideal sauce consistency.

Step 5: Bring Everything Together

Fold the cooked rigatoni into the sauce, ensuring every pasta tube gets a perfect coating. Sprinkle in Parmesan cheese, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Top with extra Parmesan and fresh herbs like parsley or basil for a final flourish.

Simple Tips for Sausage Rigatoni Perfection

• Drain Pasta Perfectly: Reserve some pasta water before draining to help create a silky, clingy sauce that coats every rigatoni noodle evenly.
• Sausage Selection Matters: Choose high-quality Italian sausage with good fat content for deeper flavor and richer sauce texture.
• Control Spice Level: Adjust red pepper flakes to match your heat preference- start with less and add more gradually for personalized kick.
• Cream Consistency Trick: Simmer sauce slowly to prevent cream from separating, ensuring a smooth and velvety sauce that clings beautifully to pasta.
• Balance Seasoning Carefully: Taste and adjust salt incrementally since Parmesan cheese adds natural saltiness to the final dish.

How to Store Sausage Rigatoni Properly

• Store leftover creamy sausage rigatoni in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly to prevent moisture loss and keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Warm the pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or water to restore creaminess. Stir gently to prevent sticking and ensure even heating.
• Place portions in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly. Stop when the pasta is steaming hot.
• Check for any off-smells or mold before reheating. Toss out pasta that has been stored longer than 4 days or shows signs of spoilage to prevent foodborne illness.

What Goes Great With Sausage Rigatoni

• Robust Chianti or Sangiovese perfectly complements the rich, spicy sausage and creamy sauce, cutting through the richness with its tannic structure.
• Toss arugula, radicchio, and fennel with lemon vinaigrette to balance the dish's heavy flavors, adding a crisp, bright counterpoint to the creamy pasta.
• Toasted sourdough or ciabatta with garlic butter provides a crunchy texture that soaks up extra sauce, enhancing the overall dining experience.
• Prepare a quick Mediterranean-style salad with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and olives dressed in olive oil and herbs to refresh the palate between bites of the hearty rigatoni.

Creative Spins on Sausage Rigatoni

• Vegetarian Sausage Swap: Replace Italian sausage with plant-based sausage or crumbled extra-firm tofu seasoned with Italian herbs for a meat-free version.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free rigatoni pasta and ensure all other ingredients like chicken broth are certified gluten-free to accommodate sensitive diets.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Substitute heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream and use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese for a creamy, dairy-free alternative.
• Lighter Protein Variation: Swap Italian sausage with ground chicken or turkey for a lower-fat protein option that maintains the original recipe's flavor profile.

Creamy Sausage Rigatoni Recipe

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4.8 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty sausage rigatoni brings Italian comfort straight to kitchen tables with rich, robust flavors. Pasta lovers will savor each perfectly balanced bite of this classic comfort dish that combines spicy sausage and silky cream sauce.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 pound (453 grams) Italian sausage, casings removed
• 12 ounces (340 grams) rigatoni pasta
• ¾ cup heavy cream
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for garnish

Aromatics and Seasonings:

• ½ cup onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ teaspoon fennel seeds (optional for extra flavor)
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Liquids and Additional Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ¼ cup tomato paste
• 1 cup chicken broth
• Fresh parsley or basil, chopped, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Prepare a large pot with generously salted water and bring to a rolling boil. Submerge rigatoni and cook until perfectly tender, following package guidelines. Carefully extract pasta, preserving a portion of starchy cooking liquid.
2. Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium temperature. Sauté finely diced onions until translucent and softened. Introduce crumbled Italian sausage, breaking into bite-sized fragments while browning thoroughly. Optional: eliminate excess rendered fat.
3. Incorporate minced garlic, crushed fennel seeds, and fiery red pepper flakes into the meat mixture. Allow aromatics to bloom briefly before introducing tomato paste. Deglaze pan with rich chicken broth, creating a vibrant base that reduces and concentrates flavors.
4. Lower heat and gently swirl in velvety heavy cream, permitting sauce to thicken luxuriously. Modulate consistency by gradually introducing reserved pasta water, creating a silky, clingy texture that embraces pasta perfectly.
5. Transfer rigatoni directly into sauce, ensuring each tube becomes thoroughly coated. Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan, stirring to integrate. Calibrate seasoning with salt and cracked pepper. Finish with an elegant garnish of additional cheese and chopped fresh herbs, presenting a restaurant-quality dish bursting with robust flavors.

Notes

• Choose spicy or mild Italian sausage based on personal heat preference, allowing customization for different taste buds.
• Reserved pasta water acts as a magical sauce thickener and helps create silky, clingy texture without breaking the cream base.
• Consider removing sausage casings before cooking for smoother meat integration and more consistent flavor distribution throughout the dish.
• Swap heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk for lighter version, reducing overall calorie content while maintaining creamy consistency.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 610
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 850 mg
• Fat: 35 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 53 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 95 mg