Cozy Creamy Sausage Rigatoni Recipe: A Homestyle Comfort Dish

Creamy sausage rigatoni brings comfort and excitement to your dinner table in one delightful dish.

Pasta lovers appreciate how quickly this meal comes together with minimal ingredients.

Bold Italian flavors mingle through each perfectly coated noodle, creating a satisfying experience.

Simple ingredients transform into something magical when combined with care and attention.

Home cooks appreciate how versatile this recipe can be for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.

Hearty sausage and rich cream sauce promise a meal that feels like a warm culinary hug.

You will want to savor every single bite of this irresistible pasta creation.

Why Creamy Sausage Rigatoni Tastes Amazing

• Quick Weeknight Hero: Conquer dinner with this speedy sausage pasta that comes together faster than ordering takeout, perfect for busy families needing a delicious meal in minutes.
• Customizable Comfort: Easily adjust spice levels by controlling chili flakes, making this dish adaptable for different taste preferences from mild to spicy lovers.
• Crowd-Pleasing Charm: The combination of hearty sausage, creamy sauce, and perfectly cooked rigatoni creates a universally appealing meal that satisfies both kids and adults at the dinner table.
• One-Pan Wonder: Minimize kitchen cleanup with this single-skillet recipe that transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy dinner without creating a mountain of dishes.

Ingredients for Sausage Rigatoni Pasta

• Rigatoni Pasta: A sturdy pasta shape with ridges that helps to hold the creamy sauce perfectly.

• Sausage: A flavorful meat that adds richness and depth to the pasta dish.

• Onion, Garlic: These classic vegetables provide a foundational flavor profile for the sauce.
• Paprika, Chili Flakes, Oregano: Spices that add warmth, heat, and herbal notes to enhance the overall taste.

• Chicken Broth, Heavy Cream: Liquid ingredients that create a smooth and luxurious sauce base.
• Parmesan Cheese: A sharp, salty cheese that melts beautifully and adds a rich, tangy flavor to the dish.

• Olive Oil: Used to sauté the ingredients and provide a smooth cooking base.
• Salt, Pepper: Basic seasonings to adjust and balance the final taste of the pasta.

• Fresh Parsley: A bright, fresh herb that adds color and a light, herbal finish to the dish.

Step-by-Step Sausage Rigatoni Instructions

Step 1: Boil Pasta to Perfection

Cook rigatoni in salted water until it reaches that perfect al dente texture. Carefully set aside some pasta water before draining the rest.

Step 2: Sizzle the Sausage

Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Crumble and brown the sausage, breaking it into delicious small pieces as it cooks.

Step 3: Aromatic Veggie Base

• Diced onions
• Minced garlic

Saute until the vegetables become soft and release their mouthwatering fragrance.

Step 4: Spice It Up

• Paprika
• Chili flakes
• Dried oregano

Let the spices dance and bloom for about a minute, releasing their intense flavors.

Step 5: Create Creamy Sauce

• Chicken broth
• Heavy cream

Stir everything together and let the mixture simmer, watching it thicken into a luxurious sauce.

Step 6: Cheese Magic

Blend in Parmesan cheese until it melts completely.

Add cooked rigatoni, tossing gently to ensure every pasta piece gets coated in the dreamy sauce.

Step 7: Adjust Consistency

If the sauce seems too thick, splash in reserved pasta water little by little until you reach the perfect creamy texture.

Step 8: Final Seasoning

Taste and season with salt and pepper to your liking.

Step 9: Gorgeous Garnish

Sprinkle fresh parsley on top for a pop of color and fresh flavor before serving.

Tips to Perfect Creamy Sausage Rigatoni

• Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce thickness and help sauce cling to pasta perfectly.
• Use hot Italian sausage for extra spice or swap with mild sausage for less heat.
• Select freshly grated Parmesan cheese for richer, more authentic flavor compared to pre-packaged options.
• Quickly brown sausage on high heat to develop deep caramelized flavors before adding other ingredients.
• Allow sauce to simmer gently to help cream and broth reduce and create a silky, luxurious texture.

Exciting Twists on Sausage Rigatoni

• Vegetarian Swap: Replace sausage with plant-based ground meat or crumbled firm tofu, seasoned with smoked paprika and fennel seeds for similar flavor profile.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free rigatoni pasta and confirm chicken broth is gluten-free. Substitute regular flour with cornstarch for potential sauce thickening if needed.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Swap heavy cream with coconut cream or unsweetened almond milk. Use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese to maintain creamy texture and provide cheesy flavor.
• Low-Carb Version: Substitute rigatoni with zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice. Use turkey sausage for leaner protein and reduce overall carbohydrate content while maintaining dish's rich flavor profile.

Best Pairings with Sausage Rigatoni

• Rustic Dinner Party Delight: Serve this creamy sausage rigatoni in large, rustic ceramic bowls with extra Parmesan sprinkled on top for an elegant family-style meal that feels warm and inviting.
• Hearty Lunch Companion: Pair the pasta with a crisp arugula salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette to balance the rich, creamy sauce and add a fresh, zesty contrast to the dish.
• Cozy Comfort Plate: Create a comforting meal by serving the rigatoni alongside crusty garlic bread for soaking up the delicious sauce, making every bite satisfying and indulgent.
• Weekend Brunch Star: Transform the recipe into a brunch centerpiece by topping each serving with a soft-poached egg, allowing the rich yolk to blend with the creamy sauce for extra decadence.

FAQs

• What type of sausage works best for this recipe?

Italian sausage is ideal, with mild or spicy options depending on your preference. Remove the casings and break it into small pieces for better integration with the sauce.

• Can I make this dish vegetarian?

Replace the sausage with plant-based crumbles or mushrooms to maintain a similar texture and flavor profile. Choose a vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.

• How do I prevent the sauce from becoming too thick?

Use the reserved pasta water to thin out the sauce gradually. Add it slowly while stirring until you reach the desired consistency. The starchy water helps create a smooth, silky sauce.

Spicy Sausage Rigatoni Recipe

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4.8 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Rigatoni pasta embraces rich Italian sausage in this hearty one-pot meal that combines robust flavors and creamy textures. Robust ingredients and simple techniques deliver a comforting dinner you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta:

• 300 grams (10.5 ounces) rigatoni pasta

Main Protein:

• 250 grams (8.8 ounces) sausage (halal chicken or beef sausage, casing removed)

Seasonings and Aromatics:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• Salt to taste

Dairy and Liquids:

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Garnish:

• Fresh parsley, chopped

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Instructions

1. Boil rigatoni in generously salted water at medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes until tender, maintaining a slight bite. Set aside 1/2 cup of starchy pasta water before draining.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, warm olive oil and crumble sausage, browning thoroughly while breaking into small, even pieces.
3. Incorporate diced onions and minced garlic into the sausage, sautéing until vegetables become translucent and aromatic, approximately 3-4 minutes.
4. Sprinkle paprika, chili flakes, and dried oregano into the skillet, toasting spices for 60 seconds to enhance their flavor profile.
5. Deglaze the pan by pouring chicken broth and heavy cream, creating a rich sauce. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes until liquid slightly thickens.
6. Gradually fold grated Parmesan cheese into the sauce, stirring continuously until completely melted and smooth.
7. Add cooked rigatoni directly into the sauce, gently tossing to ensure every pasta piece is evenly coated with the creamy mixture.
8. Adjust sauce consistency by incrementally adding reserved pasta water, creating a silky texture that clings perfectly to the rigatoni.
9. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, tasting and adjusting as needed.
10. Finish the dish by scattering freshly chopped parsley over the top for a vibrant garnish before serving immediately.

Notes

• Always save some starchy pasta water to help create a silky, clingy sauce that perfectly coats every rigatoni piece.
• Choose a high-quality Italian sausage with good fat content for maximum flavor depth and creamy texture.
• Adjust chili flakes to control heat level, making the dish mild for kids or extra spicy for heat lovers.
• Swap heavy cream with coconut milk and nutritional yeast for a delicious lactose-free version that maintains rich, creamy consistency.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 560 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 700 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg