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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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