Luscious Creamy Sausage Rigatoni Recipe: Pasta Bliss in Minutes!

Pasta nights reach new heights with this creamy sausage rigatoni that promises to satisfy every comfort food craving.

Bold Italian sausage mingles with tender pasta in a luscious sauce that hugs each rigatoni curve.

Robust flavors dance across your palate with every forkful of this hearty dish.

Weeknight dinners demand simple yet spectacular meals like this crowd-pleasing recipe.

The combination of spicy sausage and smooth cream creates a magical harmony that transforms an ordinary meal into something extraordinary.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of richness and zest that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Dive into this irresistible pasta experience and watch as smiles spread around the dinner table.

All The Ingredients For Creamy Sausage Rigatoni

• Rigatoni: Substantial tubular pasta that catches sauce perfectly, choose high-quality durum wheat variety for best texture.

• Italian Sausage: Rich, spicy meat that provides deep flavor, select fresh ground sausage with balanced fat content.
• Onions: Foundational vegetable creating savory base, pick firm yellow onions with no soft spots.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient adding intense depth, select plump cloves without green sprouts.

• Fennel Seeds: Provides subtle licorice-like undertone, ensure seeds are fresh and fragrant.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Adds gentle heat and complexity, choose high-quality dried chili flakes.
• Tomato Paste: Concentrated tomato flavor that thickens sauce, select dark red paste in tube or small can.
• Chicken Broth: Creates liquid base with rich savoriness, opt for low-sodium version for better control.
• Heavy Cream: Delivers luxurious creaminess, select fresh, high-fat content cream.

• Parmesan Cheese: Adds salty, nutty finish, grate fresh authentic Parmigiano-Reggiano.
• Fresh Parsley or Basil: Provides bright, fresh contrast, choose vibrant, crisp herbs.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasoning for balancing flavors, use freshly ground black pepper.
• Olive Oil: Provides initial cooking fat, select extra virgin for best flavor.

Cooking Gear For Creamy Sausage Rigatoni

• Large pot: Essential for boiling pasta perfectly.
• Colander: Needed to drain pasta after cooking.
• Large skillet: Perfect for creating the rich sausage sauce.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for breaking up sausage and stirring sauce.
• Measuring cups: Helpful for accurate chicken broth and pasta water amounts.
• Sharp knife: Required for chopping onions and garlic.
• Cutting board: Provides a clean surface for chopping ingredients.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 550 kcal

Servings: 3

How To Make Creamy Sausage Rigatoni In No Time

• Kitchen Prep Excitement

Get everything ready for a culinary adventure that will make your taste buds dance. This dish combines hearty Italian sausage with luxurious cream sauce and perfectly cooked pasta.

• Sausage Magic

Brown the sausage in a skillet, breaking it into delicious nuggets. Let those meaty morsels develop a gorgeous golden color that promises incredible flavor.

• Flavor Explosion

Introduce aromatic garlic, zesty red pepper flakes, and earthy fennel seeds. Watch the kitchen fill with mouthwatering scents that hint at the deliciousness to come.

• Creamy Transformation

Pour in rich cream and let the sauce gently bubble and thicken. This is where ordinary ingredients become an extraordinary meal that feels like a restaurant-quality experience.

• Final Touch

Toss the perfectly cooked rigatoni into the velvety sauce. Sprinkle with fresh Parmesan cheese and a handful of chopped herbs. Serve immediately and watch everyone’s eyes light up with the first bite.

Tips And Add-Ons For Creamy Sausage Rigatoni

• Pasta Water Magic: Never discard all pasta water – its starchy goodness helps create silky, clingy sauce that hugs every rigatoni noodle perfectly.
• Sausage Selection Wisdom: Choose spicy Italian sausage for extra kick or mild version for family-friendly flavor, removing casings ensures better texture and even browning.
• Cream Consistency Control: Simmer sauce gently to prevent heavy cream from separating, stirring occasionally maintains smooth, luxurious texture.
• Fresh Herb Enhancement: Swap dried parsley with fresh chopped herbs like basil or oregano right before serving to boost bright, aromatic notes.
• Gluten-Free Option: Replace regular rigatoni with gluten-free pasta made from rice, corn, or chickpea flour without compromising taste.
• Low-Carb Transformation: Substitute pasta with spiralized zucchini or cauliflower rice for a lighter, vegetable-packed alternative.
• Dairy-Free Modification: Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream and nutritional yeast in place of Parmesan for creamy, tangy flavor profile.

How To Serve Creamy Sausage Rigatoni Fresh

• Pasta Night Perfection: Invite friends over for a cozy dinner and serve this hearty rigatoni as the star dish. Pair with a crisp green salad and crusty garlic bread to complete the meal.
• Wine Pairing Delight: Choose a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese that complements the rich sausage and creamy sauce. The wine's acidity will balance the dish's richness beautifully.
• Fresh Herb Finish: Sprinkle chopped fresh basil or parsley just before serving to add a bright, aromatic touch. The herbs will bring a pop of color and freshness to the creamy pasta, elevating the overall flavor profile.
• Leftover Magic: Transform remaining pasta into a delicious lunch by storing in an airtight container and reheating gently with a splash of extra chicken broth to restore the sauce's creamy texture.

Keep Creamy Sausage Rigatoni Good For Leftover Meals

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftovers in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the pasta and sauce together to maintain moisture and flavor integrity.
• Quick Reheat Technique: Gently warm portions in a skillet with a splash of chicken broth or cream to restore sauce's creamy texture, preventing dryness and maintaining original delicious consistency.
• Freezer-Friendly Approach: Separate sauce and pasta before freezing in individual portions, lasting up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator and reheat slowly to preserve quality and taste.
• Freshness Extension Tip: Keep uncooked ingredients separately in refrigerator – sausage lasts 1-2 days, onions and herbs up to 5 days, ensuring maximum flavor and food safety when preparing the dish.

Hearty Sausage Rigatoni Recipe

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4.5 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 3 1x

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Description

Rigatoni with creamy sausage sauce delivers pure Italian comfort through hearty pasta and rich flavors. Pasta enthusiasts will savor each bite of this satisfying meal that combines robust sausage with silky, herb-infused cream.

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Ingredients

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• 1 lb (454 g) Italian sausage, casings removed
• 12 oz (340 g) rigatoni pasta
• ¾ cup (180 ml) heavy cream
• 1 cup (240 ml) chicken broth
• ½ cup (80 g) onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ tsp fennel seeds (optional for extra flavor)
• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ¼ cup (60 g) tomato paste
• ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for garnish
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley or basil, chopped, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Boil salted water and cook rigatoni according to package instructions. Drain pasta, reserving a cup of starchy cooking liquid for later use.
2. Meat and Aromatics Sauté: Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Sauté onions until translucent, then add Italian sausage, breaking it into crumbles while browning. Drain excess fat if desired.
3. Flavor Building: Introduce garlic, fennel seeds, red pepper flakes, and tomato paste to the skillet. Toast briefly to enhance aromatics. Pour in chicken broth and simmer to reduce and concentrate flavors.
4. Sauce Development: Reduce heat and blend heavy cream into the skillet, allowing the sauce to thicken. Adjust consistency with reserved pasta water, creating a smooth, clingy sauce base.
5. Final Assembly: Fold rigatoni into the sauce, ensuring complete coating. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese throughout, mixing to incorporate. Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with additional Parmesan and fresh herbs before serving.

Notes

• Choose High-Quality Sausage: Select fresh, well-seasoned Italian sausage for maximum flavor depth and authentic taste profile.
• Control Pasta Texture: Cook rigatoni precisely al dente to maintain structural integrity and prevent mushiness when combined with creamy sauce.
• Manage Sauce Consistency: Gradually add pasta water to achieve perfect sauce thickness – start with small amounts and adjust gradually for silky, clingy texture.
• Balance Spice Levels: Customize red pepper flakes based on personal heat tolerance; start conservatively and increase incrementally for personalized flavor intensity.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 3
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 850mg
• Fat: 30g
• Saturated Fat: 14g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 24g
• Cholesterol: 90mg