Description
This creamy sausage rigatoni pasta is a flavorful and comforting Italian-inspired dish featuring perfectly cooked rigatoni tossed in a rich sauce made from ground Italian sausage, garlic, crushed tomatoes, heavy cream, and fresh basil. Garnished with shredded Parmesan, this recipe is simple to prepare and perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces rigatoni pasta
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage
- 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup fresh chopped basil, plus more for garnish
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Garnishes
- Shredded Parmesan cheese, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rigatoni according to the package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water to use later in the sauce.
- Heat Olive Oil and Garlic: While the pasta cooks, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium-low heat. Add the minced garlic and Italian seasoning, cooking while stirring constantly for 30 to 60 seconds. Be careful not to let the garlic brown or burn, as this will impart a bitter taste.
- Cook the Sausage: Increase the heat to medium-high and add the ground Italian sausage to the pan. Use a spatula to crumble the sausage and cook until browned and fully cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Add Tomatoes, Cream, and Basil: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, heavy cream, and fresh chopped basil. Season with kosher salt and black pepper to taste. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for a few minutes until it is heated through and slightly thickened.
- Toss Rigatoni in Sauce: Add the cooked rigatoni to the sauce along with a splash of the reserved pasta water. Toss everything together to coat the pasta evenly with the creamy sausage sauce. The pasta water helps create a smooth sauce consistency that clings to the rigatoni.
- Garnish and Serve: Serve the creamy sausage rigatoni topped with additional fresh basil and a generous sprinkle of shredded Parmesan cheese. Enjoy immediately while warm.
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Notes
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if needed.
- Do not overcook the garlic to avoid bitterness.
- Use fresh herbs for best flavor, though dried basil can be substituted in a pinch.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or use a lower-fat milk with a thickener.
- Ground turkey sausage can be used for a leaner protein alternative.
- Leftovers store well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing and Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 6 grams
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 30 grams
- Saturated Fat: 12 grams
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 grams
- Trans Fat: 0.5 grams
- Carbohydrates: 42 grams
- Fiber: 4 grams
- Protein: 22 grams
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: rigatoni pasta, creamy sausage pasta, Italian sausage recipe, easy pasta dinner, comfort food pasta
