Irresistibly Creamy Sausage Rigatoni Recipe for Pasta Lovers

Whipping up a delectable sausage rigatoni promises pure comfort on chilly evenings.

Pasta lovers appreciate hearty meals that spark conversation and warm the soul.

Bold Italian flavors dance through each tender rigatoni bite, melding spicy sausage with silky cream sauce.

Robust ingredients create magic in less than thirty minutes of cooking.

Weekend meal planning becomes effortless with this simple yet sophisticated dish.

Kitchen novices and seasoned cooks alike can master this crowd-pleasing recipe without breaking a sweat.

Come hungry and ready to savor every delicious forkful of this irresistible pasta creation.

Creamy Sausage Rigatoni That Hits All the Right Notes

• Speedy Weeknight Wonder: Whip up this delicious pasta dish in just 30 minutes, perfect for busy families craving a satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Flavor-Packed Comfort: Creamy tomato sauce, spicy sausage, and wilted spinach create a mouthwatering combination that transforms simple ingredients into an irresistible dinner everyone will love.
• One-Pan Convenience: Minimal cleanup with a single skillet means less time washing dishes and more time enjoying a delectable meal together, making this recipe a total win for home cooks.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Easily adaptable for different preferences by swapping sausage, adjusting spice levels, or adding extra vegetables, ensuring this dish works for multiple tastes and dietary needs.

Sausage Rigatoni with Cream Sauce Ingredients

• Rigatoni: Hearty pasta shape perfect for holding creamy sauce, ideal for catching all sauce elements.

• Italian Sausage: Rich, flavorful meat that adds depth and robust texture to the dish, choose mild or spicy based on preference.

• Diced Tomatoes: Adds bright acidity and fresh tomato flavor, canned versions work well.
• Heavy Cream: Creates luxurious, smooth sauce base with rich texture.
• Garlic: Provides aromatic depth and classic savory undertone, fresh minced recommended.
• Spinach: Introduces fresh green color and nutritional boost, fresh leaves preferred.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds salty, umami finish to the pasta, freshly grated provides best flavor.
• Olive Oil: Helps sauté ingredients and develop initial flavor base.

• Salt: Enhances overall dish flavor.
• Black Pepper: Adds mild heat and complexity.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Optional spicy kick.
• Fresh Basil: Optional fresh herb garnish for brightness.

Sausage Rigatoni in Cream Sauce Cooking Guide

Step 1: Boil Pasta Perfectly

Grab a big pot and fill it with water.

Sprinkle in some salt and bring the water to a rolling boil.

Drop in the rigatoni and cook until it’s perfectly tender.

Drain the pasta, but save a little pasta water on the side for later magic.

Step 2: Brown Savory Sausage

Heat some olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Crumble the sausage into the pan and cook until it turns a beautiful golden brown.

Make sure it’s completely cooked through.

Scoop out the sausage and set it aside for now.

Step 3: Awaken Garlic Flavors

Using the same pan, toss in the minced garlic.

Let it sizzle and dance around for about 30 seconds until its amazing aroma fills the kitchen.

Step 4: Create Dreamy Tomato Cream Sauce

Tumble in the diced tomatoes with all their juicy goodness.

Let the mixture simmer and bubble for a few minutes.

Pour in the rich heavy cream and stir until the sauce becomes silky smooth.

Step 5: Welcome Spinach and Sausage

Gently fold in the chopped spinach and watch it melt into the sauce.

Return the cooked sausage to the pan and give everything a good stir.

Let it all mingle together for a couple of minutes.

Step 6: Marry Pasta with Sauce

Add the cooked rigatoni to the pan.

If the sauce seems too thick, splash in some of that reserved pasta water.

Toss everything together until each pasta tube is gloriously coated in the creamy sauce.

Step 7: Final Flavor Boost

Shower the dish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Sprinkle red pepper flakes if you’re feeling adventurous.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Plate up this gorgeous pasta while it’s steaming hot.

Garnish with fresh basil leaves if you want to add a touch of herbal elegance.

Bon appétit!

Creamy Pasta Tips for Sausage Rigatoni with Spinach

• Reserve some pasta water to rescue a too-thick sauce, helping it become silky and perfectly coated without losing flavor.
• Choose hot or mild Italian sausage based on your spice preference, ensuring the meat is freshly ground for maximum taste and texture.
• Replace spinach with kale or Swiss chard for different nutrient profiles and slightly varying flavor dimensions while maintaining the dish's creamy essence.
• Stir heavy cream gently and consistently to prevent separation, ensuring a smooth and luxurious sauce that clings beautifully to the rigatoni.
• Substitute heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream to create a vegan-friendly version that maintains the recipe's rich, comforting qualities.

Sausage Rigatoni Leftovers

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, ensuring the pasta is completely cooled before sealing.
• Place pasta in a microwave-safe dish, sprinkle a few tablespoons of water or extra cream to prevent dryness, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until heated through.
• Warm the pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of cream or pasta water to restore moisture and prevent sticking, stirring gently until evenly heated.
• This creamy pasta dish doesn't freeze well due to the cream sauce, which can separate and lose its smooth texture when thawed.

Sausage Rigatoni Side Suggestions

• Pair with Bold Red Wine: Choose a robust Italian red like Chianti or Sangiovese that stands up to the richness of sausage and cuts through the creamy sauce.
• Create a Fresh Side Salad: Toss a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the dish's heaviness and provide a crisp, tangy contrast.
• Match with Crusty Garlic Bread: Serve warm, toasted Italian bread brushed with olive oil and rubbed with garlic to soak up the delicious tomato cream sauce.
• Select Herbal Aperitif: Start the meal with a small glass of Limoncello or herb-infused digestif to cleanse the palate and enhance the dining experience.

Ways To Prepare Creamy Sausage Rigatoni

• Vegetarian Delight: Replace sausage with plant-based crumbles or roasted mushrooms for a meat-free version that maintains the creamy texture and robust flavor profile.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap regular rigatoni with gluten-free pasta made from rice, corn, or chickpea flour to accommodate wheat sensitivities while keeping the dish's core essence.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Substitute pasta with zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash to reduce carbohydrate intake while preserving the rich, creamy sauce and protein elements.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream and nutritional yeast in place of Parmesan cheese to create a lactose-free version that doesn't compromise on taste and creaminess.

FAQs

• What type of pasta works best for this recipe?

Rigatoni is ideal due to its large, ridged shape that helps sauce cling better, but you can also use penne or ziti as alternatives.

• Can I use a different type of sausage?

Absolutely! Italian sausage works great, but you can substitute with spicy sausage, chicken sausage, or even plant-based sausage for variety.

• How can I make this dish healthier?

Use lean sausage, replace heavy cream with half-and-half or milk, and add extra spinach or other vegetables to boost nutritional value.

• Is this recipe spicy?

The base recipe is mild, but you can add red pepper flakes for heat or choose a spicy sausage to increase the kick.

Creamy Sausage Rigatoni Recipe

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4.6 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Succulent Italian-style “Creamy Sausage Rigatoni” delivers rich, hearty flavors dancing with bold sausage and silky spinach in a luxurious tomato cream sauce. Pasta enthusiasts will savor each comforting, perfectly balanced bite of this irresistible Mediterranean-inspired dish.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 lb Italian sausage (spicy or mild)
• 12 ounces (340 grams) rigatoni pasta
• 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
• 1 cup heavy cream

Aromatics and Seasonings:

• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• Fresh basil, chopped (optional)

Tomato Base:

• 1 (14.5 ounces / 411 grams) can diced tomatoes

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Instructions

1. Prepare a large pot of salted water and cook rigatoni until perfectly tender, maintaining a slight bite. Drain the pasta, preserving a small portion of starchy cooking liquid for later use.
2. In a spacious skillet, warm olive oil and introduce crumbled sausage. Sear the meat thoroughly, breaking it into delicate fragments until a rich golden-brown color develops and no pink remains.
3. Transfer the cooked sausage to a separate plate, leaving behind the flavorful rendered fat in the pan. Quickly toast minced garlic until its aromatic essence permeates the kitchen.
4. Pour diced tomatoes into the skillet, allowing them to simmer and release their vibrant juices. Create a harmonious base by gently stirring and letting the mixture reduce slightly.
5. Introduce heavy cream to the tomato foundation, whisking continuously to create a silky, unified sauce that coats the back of a spoon with luxurious consistency.
6. Fold tender spinach leaves into the creamy mixture, watching them gracefully wilt and integrate into the sauce. Return the sausage to the pan, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
7. Carefully incorporate the cooked rigatoni, using reserved pasta water to adjust the sauce’s consistency if needed. Toss gently to ensure each pasta tube is lavishly coated with the creamy, flavorful mixture.
8. Finish the dish by generously sprinkling Parmesan cheese, allowing it to melt slightly. Season with salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes for a subtle kick.
9. Plate immediately, garnishing with fresh basil leaves for a final touch of brightness and aroma. Serve piping hot to preserve the sauce’s creamy texture and vibrant flavors.

Notes

• Swap Italian sausage with plant-based alternatives for vegetarian diets, ensuring the same rich, hearty flavor profile.
• Reserve extra pasta water helps adjust sauce consistency, preventing dry or overly thick sauce when reheating leftovers.
• Reduce heavy cream calories by substituting half with Greek yogurt or low-fat milk without compromising creamy texture.
• Fresh herbs like basil or parsley can elevate dish’s brightness and add unexpected freshness to the rich, meaty sauce.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 688
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 889 mg
• Fat: 34 g
• Saturated Fat: 16 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 66 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 27 g
• Cholesterol: 103 mg