Description
This Creamy Sausage Rigatoni Pasta Recipe is a rich and comforting Italian-inspired dinner made with tender rigatoni, savory Italian sausage, crushed tomatoes, cream, fresh basil, and Parmesan cheese. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s the perfect weeknight meal for busy families.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces rigatoni pasta
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Parmesan cheese, for garnish
- Additional basil, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook rigatoni according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
- While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat.
- Add garlic and Italian seasoning. Cook for 30–60 seconds, stirring constantly.
- Add Italian sausage and cook over medium-high heat, breaking it apart until browned and cooked through.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, heavy cream, basil, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until warmed through.
- Add cooked rigatoni and a splash of reserved pasta water. Toss until evenly coated.
- Garnish with Parmesan cheese and fresh basil before serving.
Notes
Cook the pasta just until al dente for the best texture.
Reserve pasta water to help the sauce cling to the pasta.
Add red pepper flakes for extra heat.
Freshly grated Parmesan provides the best flavor.
Leftover sauce can be used on homemade pizza or as a dipping sauce for breadsticks.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 860mg
- Fat: 29g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 75mg