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Creamy Sausage Rigatoni Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 110 reviews

Creamy Sausage Rigatoni is a comforting Italian-inspired dish featuring tender rigatoni pasta cooked directly in a flavorful, creamy tomato and sausage sauce. This one-pan recipe combines crumbled Italian sausage, garlic, Italian herbs, and fresh spinach in a rich sauce made from chicken broth, heavy cream, and tomato sauce. Ready in just about 30–35 minutes, it offers a hearty meal perfect for weeknights or casual dinners, delivering a delicious blend of bold and creamy flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

Sausage and Base

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 15 oz Italian sausage (crumbled, sweet or spicy)

Pasta and Sauce

  • 8 oz rigatoni (uncooked)
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 4 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning or Herbs de Provence
  • 15 oz tomato sauce (marinara or plain tomato sauce)

Vegetables and Seasonings

  • 5 oz fresh spinach
  • Salt and coarsely ground black pepper (to taste)
  • Red pepper flakes (optional, to taste)

Optional Garnishes

  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Torn basil leaves

Instructions

  1. Brown the Sausage: Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium heat. Add the crumbled sausage and cook for about 5 minutes, breaking it into small pieces as it browns. Once fully cooked, drain any excess grease to keep the sauce rich, not oily.
  2. Combine Key Ingredients: Add the uncooked rigatoni directly into the skillet with the sausage. Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, followed by the minced garlic, tomato sauce, and Italian seasoning. Stir well to evenly coat the pasta. Cooking the pasta in the sauce allows it to absorb the flavors, making the dish more cohesive and flavorful.
  3. Simmer Until Al Dente: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to maintain a steady simmer. Cover the skillet with a lid and let the rigatoni cook for 10 to 15 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. The pasta should be tender but still have a slight bite.
  4. Add the Spinach: Once the pasta is nearly done, stir in the fresh spinach. Let it wilt naturally by stirring for a couple of minutes, or simply cover the skillet and let residual heat soften the greens.
  5. Adjust the Sauce: Prefer a thicker sauce? Let the dish simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes, stirring often. The starch from the pasta helps naturally thicken the sauce as it cooks.
  6. Season and Serve: Remove the skillet from the heat and season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste. Remember, the sausage may already be salty, so season mindfully. Serve hot, straight from the pan, garnished with freshly grated Parmesan and torn basil leaves if desired.

Notes

  • Use sweet or spicy Italian sausage depending on your heat preference.
  • Be sure to stir occasionally during simmering to keep pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
  • The sauce will thicken naturally as the pasta cooks and releases starch; simmer uncovered for thicker consistency.
  • Fresh spinach adds a healthy pop of green but can be substituted with kale if preferred.
  • Serve with a crisp green salad and garlic bread for a complete meal.
  • Wine pairing suggestions include Chianti or Pinot Noir to complement the richness.

Keywords: Creamy Sausage Rigatoni, Italian sausage pasta, one pan pasta recipe, creamy tomato pasta, easy Italian dinner, sausage rigatoni recipe

Find it online: https://freshrecipehub.com/creamy-sausage-rigatoni-recipe/