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Creamy Italian Sausage Rigatoni

This comforting dish features savory Italian sausage, creamy sauce, and al dente rigatoni, making it a family favorite that's easy to prepare and budget-friendly.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 600

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 lb Italian sausage (sweet or spicy, depending on preference) Can substitute with chicken, turkey, or plant-based sausage.
  • 12 oz rigatoni pasta Cook according to package instructions.
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter option)
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese Plus more for serving.
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish
  • Olive oil, for cooking

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the rigatoni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving about 1 cup of pasta water.
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, drizzle a little olive oil and add the Italian sausage. Cook until browned, breaking it into smaller pieces with a wooden spoon, for about 5-7 minutes.
  3. Add the diced onion to the skillet. Sauté until it becomes translucent and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes. Then, throw in the minced garlic and stir for just another minute until you can smell that rich, nutty aroma.
  4. Pour in the heavy cream and sprinkle the Italian seasoning. Stir well, allowing the mixture to simmer gently for about 5 minutes, thickening the sauce.
Combining and Finishing
  1. Toss the drained rigatoni into the skillet, mixing to coat every piece of pasta in the creamy goodness. If needed, add reserved pasta water a little at a time until you reach your desired sauce consistency.
  2. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  3. Transfer to a serving dish and sprinkle with fresh basil or parsley, along with extra Parmesan before serving.

Notes

You can swap spinach for kale or add red pepper flakes for extra heat. For variations, consider adding sautéed mushrooms or bell peppers or using whole wheat rigatoni.