Description
Creamy garlic sausage alfredo rigatoni invites pasta enthusiasts on a comforting culinary journey through Italian-inspired flavors. Rich sauce and hearty ingredients combine for a satisfying meal you’ll savor until the last delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) garlic sausage, sliced or crumbled
- 1 ½ cups (360 ml) heavy cream
- 12 oz (340 g) rigatoni pasta
- 1 cup (100 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsps unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp nutmeg (optional)
- Salt, to taste
- Chopped parsley or basil
- Extra Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Cook rigatoni in heavily salted water until al dente, drain completely, and lightly toss with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Sausage Performance: Brown garlic sausage in a large skillet over medium heat, creating a caramelized exterior. Remove sausage while preserving the rendered fat for sauce enhancement.
- Aromatic Foundation: Melt butter in the same skillet, sauté minced garlic until fragrant and golden, releasing deep, rich flavors that will permeate the entire dish.
- Sauce Transformation: Pour heavy cream into the skillet, integrate Parmesan cheese, cracked black pepper, and optional nutmeg. Whisk continuously until the sauce achieves a smooth, luxurious texture that clings elegantly to pasta.
- Harmonious Fusion: Return seared sausage to the creamy sauce, gently fold in cooked rigatoni, ensuring each pasta tube is completely coated with the decadent mixture, creating a seamless culinary experience.
- Elegant Presentation: Transfer the saucy rigatoni to serving plates, embellish with fresh parsley or basil, sprinkle additional Parmesan cheese for depth, and serve immediately while the sauce remains irresistibly warm and inviting.
Notes
- Perfect Pasta Texture: Salt water generously and cook rigatoni exactly to al dente to ensure optimal bite and prevent mushiness, maintaining pasta’s structural integrity.
- Fat Management: Reserve sausage rendering fat for extra flavor depth, using it as a secret weapon to enhance sauce’s richness and complexity.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Add Parmesan gradually and stir constantly to prevent clumping, creating smooth sauce without grainy texture.
- Customization Options: Substitute garlic sausage with spicy Italian sausage or vegetarian sausage alternative for dietary flexibility, keeping core recipe structure intact.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 234
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg