Description
Rigatoni with creamy sausage sauce delivers Italian comfort on a plate. Simple ingredients combine to create a hearty meal that satisfies your craving for rich, homestyle cooking.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound Italian sausage (casings removed)
- 12 ounces (340 grams) rigatoni pasta
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Garnish:
- Fresh parsley
Instructions
- Prepare rigatoni in boiling water according to package guidelines, preserving 1/2 cup of starchy cooking liquid before draining pasta.
- Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high temperature, then introduce sausage and crumble while browning thoroughly.
- Introduce minced garlic to the sausage mixture, sautéing until aromatic and golden, approximately 45-60 seconds.
- Pour marinara sauce into the skillet, allowing ingredients to simmer and meld flavors for 2-3 minutes.
- Reduce heat to medium-low, then incorporate heavy cream, grated Parmesan, and reserved pasta water, whisking until sauce transforms into a silky, uniform consistency.
- Gently fold cooked rigatoni into the creamy sauce, ensuring each pasta piece is generously coated with the rich mixture.
- Enhance flavor profile by sprinkling red pepper flakes, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper, adjusting seasoning to personal preference.
- Finish the dish by scattering freshly chopped parsley across the top and serve immediately while piping hot.
Notes
- Pasta Water Magic: Reserve pasta water before draining, as the starchy liquid helps create a silky, clingy sauce that perfectly coats each rigatoni noodle.
- Sausage Selection: Choose spicy Italian sausage for an extra kick or mild version for a more kid-friendly meal, ensuring the meat is fully browned for maximum flavor development.
- Cream Consistency: Add heavy cream slowly and stir continuously to prevent curdling, creating a smooth, luxurious sauce that binds all ingredients together beautifully.
- Dietary Adaptations: Swap regular pasta for gluten-free rigatoni, use plant-based sausage and dairy-free cream for a vegetarian/vegan version, or substitute turkey sausage for a lighter protein option.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 820 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 58 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 32 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg