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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, warm olive oil and crumble sausage, browning thoroughly while breaking into small, even pieces.
- Incorporate diced onions and minced garlic into the sausage, sautéing until vegetables become translucent and aromatic, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Sprinkle paprika, chili flakes, and dried oregano into the skillet, toasting spices for 60 seconds to enhance their flavor profile.
- 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.
- Gradually fold grated Parmesan cheese into the sauce, stirring continuously until completely melted and smooth.
- Add cooked rigatoni directly into the sauce, gently tossing to ensure every pasta piece is evenly coated with the creamy mixture.
- Adjust sauce consistency by incrementally adding reserved pasta water, creating a silky texture that clings perfectly to the rigatoni.
- Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, tasting and adjusting as needed.
- 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