Description
Garlic sausage alfredo rigatoni delivers creamy comfort with Italian-inspired richness. Hearty pasta twirls with savory sausage and silky sauce will delight you at the first satisfying bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 8 ounces (225 grams) garlic sausage, sliced
Pasta and Base:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) rigatoni pasta
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings and Aromatics:
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare rigatoni by following package directions, ensuring pasta reaches al dente texture. Thoroughly drain and reserve.
- Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high temperature. Slice garlic sausage into bite-sized medallions and sauté until edges caramelize and develop a rich golden-brown color. Transfer sausage to a separate plate.
- Reduce skillet heat and introduce minced garlic, allowing aromatics to release and become fragrant without burning.
- Pour heavy cream into the skillet, creating a luxurious base. Allow liquid to gently bubble and slightly thicken, stirring periodically to prevent scorching.
- Gradually incorporate Parmesan cheese, whisking continuously until cheese melts completely and sauce transforms into a silky, uniform consistency.
- Enhance sauce with freshly ground black pepper, optional red pepper flakes for subtle heat, and salt to balance flavors. Adjust seasonings carefully.
- Reunite cooked rigatoni and seared sausage with creamy sauce, gently folding ingredients to ensure comprehensive coating and even distribution.
- Plate immediately, sprinkling freshly chopped parsley for vibrant color and herbaceous brightness.
Notes
- Customize sausage choice by using spicy or mild varieties based on personal heat preference.
- Balance richness of Alfredo sauce by adding a splash of pasta water to thin the consistency if needed.
- Make dish gluten-free by substituting rigatoni with zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta alternatives.
- Enhance flavor complexity by incorporating fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary during sausage browning stage.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 698
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 1050 mg
- Fat: 43 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 57 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg