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Creamy Italian Sausage Rigatoni

Creamy Italian Sausage Rigatoni: Your Quick Comfort Food Fix

Creamy Italian Sausage Rigatoni is a quick and comforting meal that blends savory sausage and rich sauce for a family-friendly feast.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 540

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 12 oz Rigatoni Pasta or any tubular pasta
For the Sauce
  • 1 tbsp Olive Oil can be substituted with butter
  • 1 lb Italian Sausage (mild or spicy) can use chicken or turkey sausage
  • 1 medium Diced Onion shallots can be used
  • 2 cloves Minced Garlic or garlic powder (1/8 tsp = 1 clove)
  • 1 tsp Dried Oregano use double the amount if fresh
  • 1/4 tsp Red Pepper Flakes optional
  • 1 cup Heavy Cream or half-and-half; coconut cream works for dairy-free
  • 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese or Pecorino Romano
  • Salt to taste
  • Pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup Chopped Fresh Parsley for garnish

Equipment

  • large pot
  • skillet
  • spatula

Method
 

Step‑by‑Step Instructions
  1. Fill a large pot with water, season generously with salt, and bring it to a rolling boil over high heat. Add the rigatoni pasta and cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally until it's al dente. Reserve about ½ cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta and set it aside.
  2. In a large skillet, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook for 5–7 minutes until it’s browned and caramelized.
  3. Add the diced onion and sauté for 3–4 minutes until it becomes translucent. Stir in the minced garlic, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes, cooking for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
  4. Pour in the heavy cream, stir to combine, and let it simmer for 2–3 minutes. Gradually stir in the Parmesan cheese until it melts. Use reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick.
  5. Toss the cooked rigatoni in the skillet with the creamy sauce, cooking together for 1–2 minutes to absorb flavors.
  6. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Transfer to a serving dish, garnish with parsley and additional Parmesan. Serve hot.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 540kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 25gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 15gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 500mgFiber: 3gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 700IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 250mgIron: 2mg

Notes

Reserve the starchy pasta water for the sauce, and ensure to taste and adjust seasoning before serving.

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