Creamy Italian Sausage Rigatoni Recipe

Craving a dinner that’s both quick to make, surprisingly healthy, and bursting with Italian flavor? Look no further! This Creamy Italian Sausage Rigatoni Recipe is your answer. I’m not kidding when I say this has become a weekly staple in my house. Even on the busiest weeknights, I can whip this up and have everyone happily devouring it. It’s hearty, comforting, and packed with deliciousness. Give it a try; I think you’ll love it as much as we do!

Why You Will Love This Recipe

My Nonna always used to say, “Food is love.” And nothing says “I love you” more than a warm, comforting plate of pasta. This Creamy Italian Sausage Rigatoni Recipe reminds me of Sunday dinners at her house, everyone gathered around the table, the aroma of sausage and tomatoes filling the air. While her recipe was a closely guarded secret, this version captures that same comforting spirit and deliciousness in a much quicker, easier way. It’s a taste of tradition, perfect for modern life.

Ingredients

• For the Pasta:

  • 1 pound rigatoni pasta
  • Water for boiling
  • Salt

• For the Sauce:

  • 
    

    1 pound Italian sausage, removed from casing

    
    
  • 
    

    1 medium yellow onion, chopped

    
    
  • 
    

    2 cloves garlic, minced

    
    
  • 
    

    1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes

    
    
  • 
    

    1/2 cup heavy cream

    
    
  • 
    

    1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish

    
    
  • 
    

    1 teaspoon dried oregano

    
    
  • 
    

    1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

    
    
  • 
    

    2 tablespoon Olive oil

    
    
  • 
    

    Salt and black pepper to taste

    
    

• Garnish

  • Fresh basil leaves, chopped

Step-by-Step Instructions for Making the Recipe

1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining. Drain the pasta.
2. Brown the Sausage: While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and cooked through. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.
3. Sauté Aromatics: Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
4. Build the Sauce: Pour in the crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes (if using). Season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Combine: Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese into the sauce. Simmer for a few more minutes until the cheese is melted and the sauce is slightly thickened.
6. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked sausage back to the skillet with the sauce. Add the drained cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
7. Serve: Serve immediately, garnished with fresh basil leaves and extra grated Parmesan cheese. Enjoy your delicious Creamy Italian Sausage Rigatoni Recipe!

Creamy Italian Sausage Rigatoni Recipe

A quick and easy recipe for creamy Italian sausage rigatoni, perfect for a weeknight dinner.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients

  

For the Pasta

• 1 pound rigatoni pasta
• Water for boiling
• Salt

For the Sauce

• 1 pound Italian sausage, removed from casing
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 2 tablespoon Olive oil
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Garnish

• Fresh basil leaves, chopped

Equipment

• Large Pot
• Large Skillet

Method

 

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining. Drain the pasta.
   1 pound rigatoni pasta, Water for boiling, Salt
2. While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and cooked through. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.
   1 pound Italian sausage, removed from casing, 2 tablespoon Olive oil
3. Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
   1 medium yellow onion, chopped, 2 cloves garlic, minced
4. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes (if using). Season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
   1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional), Salt and black pepper to taste
5. Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese into the sauce. Simmer for a few more minutes until the cheese is melted and the sauce is slightly thickened.
   1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
6. Add the cooked sausage back to the skillet with the sauce. Add the drained cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
   1 pound rigatoni pasta, 1 pound Italian sausage, removed from casing
7. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh basil leaves and extra grated Parmesan cheese. Enjoy your delicious Creamy Italian Sausage Rigatoni Recipe!
   1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish, Fresh basil leaves, chopped