Savory Creamy Sausage Rigatoni Recipe: A Family Favorite

Hearty and indulgent, this creamy sausage rigatoni recipe promises a delightful culinary adventure that will tantalize your taste buds.

Robust Italian sausage mingles effortlessly with al dente pasta, creating a symphony of rich flavors.

Velvety sauce coats each rigatoni noodle with luxurious comfort, making every bite a celebration of simple ingredients.

The combination of savory sausage and smooth cream sauce delivers a restaurant-quality meal that feels both elegant and homey.

Fragrant herbs and a touch of parmesan cheese elevate this dish from ordinary to extraordinary.

Quick to prepare and impossible to resist, this pasta promises to become a new weeknight favorite.

Let’s find out this irresistible recipe and experience a truly satisfying dinner that speaks directly to your soul.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 646 kcal

Servings: 5

Creamy Sausage Rigatoni Ingredient Essentials

• Italian Sausage: Crumbled meat that provides rich, savory flavor and hearty texture to the pasta dish.
• Rigatoni: Robust tube-shaped pasta that perfectly catches and holds the creamy sauce.

• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that adds deep, pungent undertones to the sauce.
• Olive Oil: Smooth cooking fat that helps develop flavor and prevent sticking.
• Italian Seasoning: Herb blend that introduces classic Mediterranean herbal notes.
• Salt, Black Pepper, Red Pepper Flakes: Essential seasonings that build layers of heat and depth.

• Tomato Sauce: Vibrant base that adds tangy sweetness and beautiful color to the dish.
• Heavy Cream: Luxurious ingredient that creates silky, rich texture.
• Chicken Broth: Liquid that helps thin and blend sauce while adding subtle savory complexity.
• Fresh Spinach: Nutritious green that wilts beautifully, adding freshness and vibrant color.

Tools Needed for Creamy Sausage Rigatoni

• Large skillet: Heavy-bottomed and essential for even cooking and sautéing sausage and pasta.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Perfect for breaking up sausage and stirring ingredients without scratching the pan.
• Measuring spoons: Helpful for accurate olive oil and seasoning measurements.
• Measuring cup: Needed for precise chicken broth and heavy cream amounts.
• Sharp knife: Required for mincing garlic and preparing ingredients.
• Lid: Covers skillet during pasta cooking process to trap steam and heat.

Instructions for Cooking Creamy Rigatoni with Sausage

• Sausage Preparation

Brown crumbled sausage in a skillet, ensuring it’s fully cooked and releasing delicious flavors. Remove excess grease to keep the dish light and appetizing.

• Pasta and Sauce Fusion

Combine rigatoni with sausage, adding chicken broth, cream, garlic, Italian seasoning, and tomato sauce. Let the ingredients mingle and create a rich, creamy base that promises comfort in every bite.

• Cooking Magic

Bring the mixture to a boil, then cover and simmer. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking. Watch the pasta transform into a perfectly tender masterpiece.

• Green Goodness

Toss in fresh spinach, letting it wilt gently and add a vibrant touch of color and nutrition. The greens will soften quickly, blending seamlessly with the creamy sauce.

• Final Flourish

Taste and season with salt and pepper. For adventurous souls, sprinkle red pepper flakes to add a spicy kick. Remove from heat and get ready to dive into a bowl of pure deliciousness.

Tips for the Best Creamy Sausage Rigatoni Ever

• Experiment with different sausage varieties like spicy Italian, mild breakfast, or chicken sausage to create unique flavor profiles that match your mood and taste preferences.
• For an extra luxurious texture, stir in a handful of grated parmesan or pecorino romano cheese right before serving to boost the richness and add a delightful salty depth.
• Toss in additional vegetables like roasted bell peppers, sautéed mushrooms, or zucchini chunks to increase nutritional value and add more vibrant colors to your dish.
• This recipe freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Store in airtight containers and reheat gently on the stovetop, adding a splash of chicken broth to restore the creamy consistency.
• Replace heavy cream with coconut milk or unsweetened almond milk for a lighter version that still maintains a wonderfully smooth and satisfying sauce texture.

Delicious Ways to Serve Creamy Sausage Rigatoni

• Rustic Family Feast: Gather loved ones around the table and serve this hearty rigatoni directly from the skillet for a cozy, homestyle dining experience.
• Cheese Lover's Dream: Sprinkle generously with freshly grated parmesan or pecorino romano cheese to add a salty, rich dimension that complements the creamy sauce.
• Fresh Herb Garnish: Top with chopped fresh basil or parsley just before serving to introduce a bright, aromatic element that cuts through the richness of the dish.
• Wine Pairing Perfection: Serve alongside a medium-bodied red wine like chianti or sangiovese to enhance the savory sausage and creamy sauce flavors.

Storage Advice for Creamy Sausage Pasta Dishes

• Smart Storage Solutions: Transfer leftovers into airtight glass containers within 2 hours of cooking to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Refrigerator Recovery: Store the creamy sausage rigatoni in sealed containers for up to 3-4 days, keeping the dish's delicious flavors intact and ready for quick reheating.
• Freezer-Friendly Trick: Portion individual servings in freezer-safe containers, which can be safely stored for 2-3 months. Ensure you remove excess air to prevent freezer burn and maintain optimal taste quality.
• Reheating Magic: Warm refrigerated pasta gradually in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or cream to restore its creamy texture. Stir frequently to distribute heat evenly and prevent sticking, bringing back the dish's original deliciousness in minutes.

Hearty Sausage Rigatoni Recipe

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4.9 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Homemade creamy sausage rigatoni elevates classic Italian comfort cuisine with rich, hearty flavors. Sharp pecorino and spicy Italian sausage create a luxurious pasta experience you’ll want to savor again and again.

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Ingredients

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• 15 oz (425 g) Italian sausage, crumbled
• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
• 8 oz (227 g) rigatoni, uncooked
• 15 oz (425 g) tomato sauce
• 1 cup (240 ml) chicken broth
• 5 oz (142 g) fresh spinach
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt to taste
• Coarsely ground black pepper to taste
• Red pepper flakes to taste

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Instructions

1. Sautéing Foundation: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium flame, creating an ideal cooking environment for sausage.
2. Meat Preparation: Crumble sausage into the pan, browning thoroughly for approximately 5 minutes until completely cooked, eliminating any pink sections.
3. Flavor Integration: Add rigatoni, chicken broth, heavy cream, garlic, Italian seasoning, and tomato sauce to the sausage-filled skillet, stirring to combine all components evenly.
4. Liquid Activation: Bring the mixture to a robust boil, then reduce heat, covering with a lid to allow pasta to simmer and absorb liquid thoroughly.
5. Pasta Perfection: Cook for 10-15 minutes, occasionally stirring to prevent sticking and ensure uniform texture, checking for al dente consistency with a slight bite.
6. Green Enhancement: Fold fresh spinach into the creamy mixture, allowing leaves to wilt gently while maintaining low heat.
7. Final Seasoning: Remove from heat, generously season with salt and black pepper, optionally sprinkling red pepper flakes for an additional flavor dimension.

Notes

• Prevent Pasta Sticking: Stir frequently during simmering to avoid rigatoni clumping or burning at the skillet bottom.
• Manage Fat Content: Drain excess sausage grease thoroughly to reduce recipe’s overall oiliness and ensure cleaner flavor profile.
• Check Pasta Doneness: Test rigatoni texture at 10-minute mark; pasta should have slight firmness without being hard or mushy.
• Customize Heat Level: Adjust spiciness by controlling red pepper flake quantity, allowing personalized flavor intensity for different palate preferences.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 646
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 780 mg
• Fat: 40 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 48 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 105 mg