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- 12 oz rigatoni pasta - 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casings removed) - 1 medium onion, finely chopped - 3 cloves garlic, minced - 1 cup heavy cream - 1 cup chicken broth - ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved - 1 cup fresh spinach, roughly chopped - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning - ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional) - 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil - Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste The ingredients for creamy Italian sausage rigatoni create a rich and tasty dish. First, rigatoni pasta provides a nice, bite-sized shape. You can pick between mild or spicy Italian sausage. This choice shapes the dish's flavor. Next, we have aromatics. Onions and garlic add depth. They enhance the overall taste when sautéed together. Heavy cream makes the sauce rich and smooth. Chicken broth adds flavor and helps to balance the creaminess. Parmesan cheese brings a savory touch. You’ll want to use freshly grated cheese for the best result. For vegetables, cherry tomatoes add sweetness. They burst with flavor when cooked. Fresh spinach brings color and nutrition. Adding Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes gives a lovely kick. Finally, olive oil, salt, and pepper tie all these ingredients together. This dish is simple yet satisfying, perfect for any dinner! {{ingredient_image_2}} To start, fill a large pot with water. Add a generous amount of salt. Bring the water to a vigorous boil over high heat. This helps flavor the pasta. Once boiling, add 12 oz of rigatoni. Cook it according to the package instructions. Aim for that perfect al dente texture. Check it a minute before the time is up. You want the pasta firm yet cooked. After cooking, save 1 cup of pasta water. Drain the rigatoni and set it aside in a large bowl. Next, grab a spacious skillet. Heat 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Once hot, add 1 lb of Italian sausage. Make sure to remove the casings first. With a wooden spoon, break the sausage into smaller pieces. This step helps it cook evenly. Brown the sausage for about 5-7 minutes. Stir occasionally until it turns a lovely golden brown and is fully cooked. Now, it’s time to create the creamy sauce. To the skillet, add 1 medium chopped onion and 3 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for about 3-4 minutes. You want the onion to become translucent and aromatic. Then, pour in 1 cup of chicken broth and 1 cup of heavy cream. Stir well to combine. Let the mixture come to a gentle simmer. After that, add in 1 cup of halved cherry tomatoes and 1 cup of chopped spinach. Include 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning and ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes if you like some heat. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook everything for another 5 minutes. This allows the tomatoes to soften and the spinach to wilt perfectly into the sauce. Once your sauce is ready, introduce the cooked rigatoni into the skillet. Toss it gently so every piece is coated in the creamy sauce. If the sauce looks too thick, use that reserved pasta water. Add it slowly, a little at a time, until you reach the desired consistency. Finally, mix in ½ cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Stir until it melts and creates a rich, creamy texture. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Serve your creamy rigatoni in shallow bowls, garnished with fresh basil leaves. Enjoy this delightful dish! - For great pasta, choose a large pot. Fill it with water and add salt. - Bring the water to a strong boil before adding rigatoni. This helps cook evenly. - Stir the pasta often to prevent it from sticking. Cook until it’s al dente. - To avoid overcooking the sausage, use medium heat. Cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. - Break the sausage into smaller pieces for even cooking and flavor. - To boost flavor, add herbs like thyme or oregano. Fresh herbs work best. - For a spicy kick, try more red pepper flakes or crushed red pepper. - To amp up creaminess, mix in cream cheese or mascarpone with the heavy cream. - Add a splash of lemon juice for brightness. It balances the richness of the dish. - For a nice presentation, drizzle olive oil over the plated dish. - Sprinkle extra Parmesan cheese on top for added flavor and elegance. - Garnish with fresh basil leaves for a pop of color. - Pair with a crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or a side salad for freshness. - Garlic bread makes a great side for soaking up the creamy sauce. Pro Tips Choose Your Sausage Wisely: Select a high-quality Italian sausage for the best flavor. If you prefer a less spicy dish, go for mild sausage, or if you like a kick, choose spicy sausage. Don’t Skip the Pasta Water: The starchy pasta water is a great way to achieve a creamy sauce consistency. Add it gradually until you reach your desired texture. Add Fresh Herbs: Fresh basil not only adds color but also enhances the flavor profile of the dish. Consider adding it just before serving to maintain its vibrant flavor. Customize Your Veggies: Feel free to toss in other vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini for added nutrition and flavor. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly. {{image_4}} You can easily swap out the Italian sausage. Try using chicken or turkey sausage. These options are leaner but still pack great flavor. If you want a meat-free dish, plant-based sausage works well too. Many brands offer tasty alternatives that mimic the texture and taste of meat. Want to change the spice level? You can add different types of peppers. For a sweeter taste, use bell peppers. If you like heat, try jalapeños or serrano peppers. You can also add vegetables like zucchini or bell peppers. They add color and nutrition to your dish. For gluten-free options, choose pasta made from rice or corn. Many brands offer gluten-free rigatoni that tastes great. If you want a low-calorie meal, reduce the amount of cream and cheese. You can use low-fat cream or even a dairy-free milk. This way, you can still enjoy a creamy sauce without the extra calories. To keep your creamy Italian sausage rigatoni fresh, store leftovers in the fridge. Place the rigatoni in an airtight container. Glass containers work best, as they keep food fresh and are easy to clean. When reheating, use a skillet over low heat. This method helps keep the texture intact. Add a splash of heavy cream or chicken broth to revive the sauce's creaminess. Stir gently until heated through. For long-term storage, you can freeze the rigatoni. Place it in a freezer-safe container. Cream-based sauces can freeze well, but the texture may change a bit. When ready to eat, thaw it overnight in the fridge. Reheat slowly on the stove, adding extra cream to restore its luscious texture. You can choose between mild or spicy Italian sausage. Mild sausage gives a balanced flavor. It is great if you want a gentle taste. Spicy sausage adds a nice kick. It is perfect for those who love heat. I often mix the two for depth. You can also try sausage with herbs for added flavor. Yes, you can make this dish ahead. To store, let the rigatoni cool completely. Place it in an airtight container in the fridge. It stays fresh for about three days. When ready to eat, reheat in a skillet. Add a splash of chicken broth or cream to keep it creamy. For a meat-free dish, swap the sausage with plant-based options. You can use lentils or mushrooms for texture. Add chickpeas for protein and heartiness. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. This keeps the dish full of flavor and satisfying. Yes, you can use other pasta types. Penne works well and cooks quickly. Fusilli is also a good choice, as it holds sauce well. If you prefer a gluten-free option, use rice or quinoa pasta. Just adjust cooking times based on the pasta you choose. This blog post covered how to make a delicious rigatoni dish. We explored key ingredients, like sausage and heavy cream, and learned step-by-step cooking methods. I shared tips and variations for adapting the recipe to your taste. In the end, this dish is versatile and easy to make. Whether you follow the recipe closely or make it your own, I hope you enjoy every bite. Happy cooking!

Creamy Italian Sausage Rigatoni Delight

A rich and creamy pasta dish featuring Italian sausage, rigatoni, and fresh vegetables.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4
Calories 600 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz rigatoni pasta
  • 1 lb Italian sausage
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup fresh spinach, roughly chopped
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 0.5 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • to taste salt
  • to taste freshly cracked black pepper
  • for garnish fresh basil leaves

Instructions
 

  • In a large pot, bring salted water to a vigorous boil. Add the rigatoni pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water, then drain the rigatoni and set it aside in a large bowl.
  • In a spacious skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it into smaller pieces with a wooden spoon. Cook the sausage for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it’s nicely browned and cooked through.
  • To the skillet with the sausage, incorporate the chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté for about 3-4 minutes, or until the onion becomes translucent and aromatic.
  • Carefully pour in the chicken broth, followed by the heavy cream. Stir thoroughly to blend the ingredients and allow the mixture to come to a gentle simmer.
  • Add the halved cherry tomatoes, chopped spinach, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes (if using). Season with salt and pepper to taste. Allow the mixture to cook for another 5 minutes, until the tomatoes soften and the spinach wilts into the sauce.
  • Introduce the cooked rigatoni into the skillet, gently tossing it to thoroughly coat in the creamy sauce. If the sauce appears too thick, gradually incorporate reserved pasta water, a little at a time, until the desired consistency is achieved.
  • Mix in the grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until it melts into the sauce and creates a luscious, creamy texture. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed.
  • Plate the creamy rigatoni into shallow bowls, garnishing with fresh basil leaves for a pop of color and flavor.

Notes

For an elegant touch, serve the rigatoni drizzled with olive oil and additional grated Parmesan on top.
Keyword creamy sauce, Italian sausage, pasta