Creamy Sausage Rigatoni – A Rich, Hearty Pasta Favorite
A rich and creamy rigatoni pasta dish tossed with savory Italian sausage, parmesan, and herbs — the perfect comfort food for any night of the week.
Ingredients
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12 oz rigatoni pasta
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1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
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1 tbsp olive oil
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2 garlic cloves, minced
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1 small onion or shallot, finely chopped (optional)
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1 tbsp tomato paste
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1 cup heavy cream
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½ cup grated parmesan cheese
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1 tsp Italian seasoning
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¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
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Salt and pepper to taste
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Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish
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Reserved pasta water (as needed)
Instructions
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Cook pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain.
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Brown sausage in a large skillet with olive oil. Break into crumbles and cook through.
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Add garlic and onion. Sauté 2 minutes. Stir in tomato paste.
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Pour in cream. Add seasoning and simmer 3–5 minutes.
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Stir in parmesan and adjust seasoning. Add pasta and toss to coat.
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Use reserved water to loosen sauce if needed.
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Garnish with herbs and serve with extra cheese.
Notes
Add spinach, mushrooms, or sun-dried tomatoes for a variation.
Sub turkey sausage and light cream for a lighter version.
Leftovers keep well for 3 days in the fridge.