Weeknight • Pasta
Creamy Tomato Sausage Rigatoni
A rich and comforting pasta dish featuring savory sausage in a creamy tomato sauce with hearty rigatoni.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Servings
- 4
- Level
- Weeknight
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Indulge in a bowl of pure comfort! This Creamy Tomato Sausage Rigatoni is the kind of dish that warms you from the inside out. Browned sausage adds incredible depth, while a luscious tomato cream sauce coats every piece of hearty rigatoni. It’s comforting, satisfying, and comes together easily for a fantastic weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Yield: 4 servings
Main
- 1 lb rigatoni pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb Italian sausage (sweet or spicy), casings removed
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped, plus more for garnish
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Preparation
Step 1
Cook rigatoni according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain.
Step 2
While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat and set sausage aside.
Step 3
Add the chopped onion to the same skillet and cook until softened, about 4-5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Step 4
Pour in the crushed tomatoes and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow flavors to meld.
Step 5
Stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and cooked sausage. Add the cooked rigatoni. Toss to coat everything, adding a splash or two of reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick.
Step 6
Stir in the fresh basil and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan and basil.
Tips
- For a vegetarian version, use plant-based sausage or extra mushrooms instead of Italian sausage.
- A pinch of red pepper flakes in the sauce adds a nice subtle kick.
- Don't forget to reserve some pasta water – it's your secret weapon for a perfectly creamy sauce!
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