Description
Creamy Italian Sausage Rigatoni is a comforting and flavorful pasta dish featuring al dente rigatoni tossed in a rich, creamy Parmesan sauce with savory Italian sausage and aromatic herbs. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or impressing guests with a gourmet Italian meal in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces rigatoni pasta
Sausage and Vegetables
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy), casings removed
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Sauce
- 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
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the Rigatoni: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the rigatoni and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water for later use.
- Brown the Italian Sausage: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Cook until the sausage is browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
- Sauté the Vegetables: Add the diced onion to the skillet with the sausage and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes if using. Cook for 1-2 more minutes until fragrant.
- Create the Creamy 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 smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste. If the sauce is too thick, add some of the reserved pasta water to reach the desired consistency.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked rigatoni to the skillet and toss gently to coat the pasta evenly with the creamy sausage sauce.
- Serve and Garnish: Serve the creamy Italian sausage rigatoni immediately, garnished with freshly chopped parsley and extra Parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy hot for best flavor.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream.
- Add spinach or kale to the sauce for extra nutrients and color.
- Always salt the pasta water to enhance the flavor of the rigatoni.
- Reserve pasta water before draining; it’s useful for adjusting the sauce consistency.
- Try adding fresh basil or thyme to enhance the flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: creamy Italian sausage rigatoni, stovetop pasta recipe, easy Italian dinner, creamy pasta sauce, Italian sausage pasta dish
