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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Boil salted water and cook rigatoni according to package instructions. Drain pasta, reserving a cup of starchy cooking liquid for later use.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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