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Creamy Italian Sausage Rigatoni Recipe

Creamy Italian Sausage Rigatoni Recipe
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★★★★★

5 from 14 reviews

Creamy Italian Sausage Rigatoni is a rich and flavorful pasta dish featuring browned Italian sausage, a savory tomato and herb sauce, and a luscious creamy finish with Parmesan cheese. This hearty meal combines tender rigatoni pasta with a perfectly balanced blend of fresh herbs and spices, delivering a comforting Italian dinner that is easy to prepare and sure to impress.

Ingredients

Scale

Sauce Ingredients

  • 2 Tablespoons Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1 large Onion, diced
  • 4 Garlic Cloves, minced
  • 1 1/2 lbs. Italian Sausage (use 1 lb. for less sausage)
  • 2 (28-ounce) cans Whole or Crushed Tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Basil, chopped (or 1 Tablespoon dried basil)
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Oregano, chopped (or 1 Tablespoon dried oregano)
  • 1 teaspoon Red Chili Flakes
  • 2 teaspoons Salt
  • 1 teaspoon Pepper
  • 1 1/2 cups Heavy Cream
  • 1 1/2 cups Grated Parmesan Cheese (divided)

Pasta

  • 1 lb. Rigatoni Pasta

Instructions

  1. Cook the Sausage and Vegetables: Heat a large pot over medium heat and add the olive oil. Sauté the diced onion for 7-8 minutes until softened. Then add the minced garlic and Italian sausage, cooking for an additional 7-8 minutes until the sausage is browned and cooked through.
  2. Cook the Pasta: While the sausage mixture cooks, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add a generous amount of salt, then add the rigatoni pasta. Cook according to package instructions, typically 9-11 minutes, until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. Prepare the Sauce: Add the canned tomatoes to the sausage mixture. If you have whole tomatoes, blend them until smooth before adding. Stir in the fresh basil, oregano, red chili flakes, salt, and pepper. Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer for 5-7 minutes to meld the flavors.
  4. Make It Creamy: Stir in the heavy cream and 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese into the sauce. Continue to simmer on medium-low heat for 5-7 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  5. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained rigatoni pasta into the sauce, stirring gently to coat all the pasta evenly. For a thicker sauce, let the combined dish simmer for an additional 10 minutes to reduce excess liquid.
  6. Serve: Plate the pasta, garnish with the remaining 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves. Serve immediately for best flavor and enjoy your creamy Italian sausage rigatoni!

Notes

  • You can use either sweet or spicy Italian sausage depending on your heat preference.
  • For a milder sauce, reduce or omit the red chili flakes.
  • If you prefer a thicker sauce, allow it to simmer longer before combining with pasta.
  • Fresh herbs will give the best flavor, but dried basil and oregano are good substitutes.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stove or microwave.

Nutrition

Keywords: Italian sausage pasta, creamy rigatoni, sausage rigatoni recipe, creamy Italian pasta, comfort food pasta

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