Creamy Sausage Rigatoni

Why Make This Recipe

Creamy Sausage Rigatoni is a comforting, hearty dish that brings the flavors of Italian cooking straight to your kitchen. This recipe is not only easy to make, but it’s also packed with flavor thanks to the savory sausage, creamy sauce, and vibrant spinach. It’s perfect for busy weeknights or a cozy dinner with friends and family. The best part? You can have this delicious meal on the table in about 30 minutes!

How to Make Creamy Sausage Rigatoni

Making Creamy Sausage Rigatoni is straightforward and can be done in just a few simple steps. Here’s how to get started:

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 15 oz Italian sausage (crumbled)
• 8 oz rigatoni (uncooked)
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (or Herbs from Provence)
• 15 oz tomato sauce (such as tomato pasta sauce or marinara)
• 5 oz fresh spinach
• Salt (to taste)
• Coarsely ground black pepper (to taste)
• Red pepper flakes (to taste)

Directions

1. Heat the Oil
   Begin by heating 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large, high-sided, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat.

2. Cook the Sausage
   Add the crumbled Italian sausage to the skillet. Cook for about 5 minutes, crumbling it with a wooden spoon until it’s fully cooked through. Once cooked, don’t forget to drain any excess grease or liquid from the skillet to keep the dish from getting too greasy.

3. Add the Pasta and Sauce Ingredients
   In the same skillet with the cooked sausage, add the uncooked rigatoni, chicken broth, heavy cream, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and tomato sauce.

4. Bring to a Boil
   Stir everything well and bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat. Cover the skillet with a lid and let the pasta cook for about 10 to 15 minutes. The sauce should be boiling during this time.

5. Cook Until Al Dente
   Check the pasta occasionally, stirring frequently to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Cook until the pasta reaches an ‘al dente’ texture. You want it to be firm to the bite but cooked through.

6. Add Spinach
   Once the pasta is cooked, add the fresh spinach. Stir frequently for a couple of minutes until the spinach wilts to your liking.

   • Optional Tip: If you prefer, you can remove the skillet from heat and place the spinach on top of the sausage rigatoni. Cover the pan with the lid to let the residual heat wilt the spinach for about 4 minutes, then stir.

7. Season to Taste
   If the sauce needs to be thicker, you can cook it a little longer. Once you achieve your desired consistency, mix everything well and remove from heat. Season with salt, coarsely ground black pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste.

   • Note: Use your best judgment regarding salt—if the sausage is salty enough, you may not need to add any extra.

8. Final Touches
   Give it one last stir and check the seasoning before serving.

   Tip: You can find helpful step-by-step photos for this recipe above the recipe card, which can visually guide you through the cooking process.

How to Serve Creamy Sausage Rigatoni

For the best experience, serve Creamy Sausage Rigatoni immediately after cooking. You can plate the dish in generous portions and garnish with some grated Parmesan cheese on top for an extra layer of flavor. Fresh basil or chopped parsley can also make a lovely finishing touch, adding color and freshness to your dish.

Pair this hearty pasta with a simple green salad or garlic bread to complete the meal.

How to Store Creamy Sausage Rigatoni

If you have leftovers (which is always a good sign of a tasty dish!), let the rigatoni cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

When you’re ready to enjoy the leftovers, reheat them on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or a bit more cream to loosen the sauce if needed. Stir frequently until heated through.

Tips to Make Creamy Sausage Rigatoni

1. Use Good Quality Sausage: The flavor of the sausage is crucial to the overall taste of your dish. Opt for a good quality Italian sausage for the best results.

2. Adjust the Cream: If you’re looking for a lighter version, you can reduce the amount of heavy cream and substitute with half-and-half or even a little bit of milk.

3. Add More Veggies: Feel free to add other vegetables such as mushrooms, bell peppers, or zucchini to give the dish even more color and nutrition.

4. Spice it Up: If you like spicy food, increase the amount of red pepper flakes or incorporate some chopped fresh chili peppers into the sausage while it cooks.

5. Make it Cheesy: Mix in some mozzarella or cheddar cheese during the last few minutes of cooking for a cheesy twist.

Variation

• Vegetarian Option: You can easily make this dish vegetarian by substituting the sausage with plant-based sausage or mushrooms. The flavors will still be rich and delicious.

• Pasta Shape: While rigatoni is a fantastic choice, feel free to swap it out for your favorite pasta shape like penne or fusilli — just adjust the cooking time based on the pasta shape used.

FAQs

1. Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh?
Yes, you can substitute fresh spinach with frozen spinach. Make sure to thaw and drain any excess water from frozen spinach before adding it to the dish.

2. Is there a way to make this dish gluten-free?
Absolutely! Simply use gluten-free rigatoni or any gluten-free pasta of your choice.

3. Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?
While it’s best served fresh, you can prepare the sausage and sauce ahead of time. When you’re ready to eat, just cook the pasta and combine everything.

4. What can I serve with Creamy Sausage Rigatoni?
This dish pairs beautifully with a simple green salad, garlic bread, or even a side of roasted vegetables.

5. Can I freeze Creamy Sausage Rigatoni?
Yes, you can freeze the dish after it has cooled. Store it in an airtight container, and it should last in the freezer for up to 3 months. Just remember that the texture may slightly change after freezing and reheating.

Creamy Sausage Rigatoni

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• Author: mohamadalaoui
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Diet: None

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Description

A comforting, hearty dish featuring savory sausage, a creamy sauce, and vibrant spinach, perfect for weeknight dinners.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 15 oz Italian sausage (crumbled)
• 8 oz rigatoni (uncooked)
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (or Herbs from Provence)
• 15 oz tomato sauce (such as tomato pasta sauce or marinara)
• 5 oz fresh spinach
• Salt (to taste)
• Coarsely ground black pepper (to taste)
• Red pepper flakes (to taste)

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Instructions

1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add the crumbled Italian sausage and cook for about 5 minutes, crumbling it with a wooden spoon until fully cooked. Drain any excess grease.
3. Add the uncooked rigatoni, chicken broth, heavy cream, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and tomato sauce to the skillet.
4. Stir and bring to a boil. Cover and let cook for about 10-15 minutes until pasta is al dente.
5. Add the fresh spinach and stir until wilted, about 2 minutes.
6. Season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste.
7. Stir well and serve immediately, garnished with Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Notes

For a lighter dish, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half. Add more veggies or cheese for variation. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 41g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 20g
• Cholesterol: 60mg

Keywords: Creamy Pasta, Sausage, Italian, Comfort Food, Weeknight Dinner