Quick & Tasty Creamy Sausage Rigatoni Recipe – A Family Favorite

Creamy sausage rigatoni revolutionizes ordinary pasta nights into extraordinary culinary experiences.

Hearty ingredients meld together, creating a symphony of rich, velvety flavors that dance across your palate.

Robust sausage infuses depth and complexity into each carefully crafted bite.

Home cooks adore this straightforward yet impressive dish that feels like a restaurant-quality meal prepared right in your kitchen.

Smooth, decadent sauce embraces perfectly cooked pasta, promising comfort and satisfaction with every forkful.

Weekend or weeknight, this recipe guarantees a memorable dining moment that will have everyone asking for seconds.

What Makes Creamy Sausage Rigatoni So Satisfying

• Unlock One-Pan Magic: Savor a delightful meal that comes together effortlessly in a single skillet, minimizing cleanup and maximizing flavor with minimal kitchen effort.
• Creamy Comfort Meets Hearty Satisfaction: Experience a luxurious blend of rich, velvety sauce coating perfectly cooked rigatoni and savory sausage, creating a deeply satisfying comfort food that hugs your taste buds.
• Nutrition-Packed Flavor Explosion: Enjoy a well-balanced dish that sneaks in fresh spinach, delivers a protein punch, and provides a perfect mix of textures from tender pasta to crispy sausage crumbles.
• Speed-Demon Dinner Solution: Whip up a restaurant-worthy meal in just 20 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights when you crave something delicious but have limited time to cook.

Ingredients for Creamy Sausage Rigatoni Magic

• Sausage: Hearty meat that provides rich flavor and protein to the pasta dish. Choose Italian-style or spicy sausage for extra taste.
• Chicken Broth: Adds depth and moisture to the sauce, enhancing overall dish flavor. Low-sodium options work well for better control of salt levels.

• Rigatoni: Large tube-shaped pasta perfect for holding creamy sauce. Whole wheat or regular pasta can be used based on preference.
• Heavy Cream: Creates a luxurious, smooth sauce with rich texture. Choose high-quality cream for best results.

• Garlic: Provides intense, deep flavor to the sauce. Fresh garlic cloves offer the most robust taste.
• Italian Seasoning: Blend of herbs that adds complexity and traditional Italian profile. Pre-mixed or homemade blends work equally well.
• Tomato Sauce: Adds depth and slight tanginess to the creamy pasta. Choose smooth or chunky based on personal preference.
• Spinach: Fresh green that adds nutrition and color to the dish. Baby spinach wilts quickly and integrates smoothly.
• Olive Oil: Helps sauté ingredients and prevent sticking. Extra virgin olive oil provides best flavor.
• Salt and Black Pepper: Essential for seasoning and balancing overall taste. Freshly ground pepper offers more intense flavor.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Optional ingredient for those who enjoy a spicy kick. Adjust amount to personal heat tolerance.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creamy Sausage Rigatoni

Step 1: Warm Up the Pan

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, creating a smooth cooking surface.

Step 2: Cook the Sausage

Crumble sausage into the pan and cook for 5 minutes, breaking it into small pieces until fully cooked. Drain excess grease completely.

Step 3: Combine Ingredients

• Uncooked rigatoni
• Chicken broth
• Heavy cream
• Minced garlic
• Italian seasoning
• Tomato sauce

Step 4: Bring to a Boil

Stir all ingredients thoroughly. Bring the mixture to a boil on medium heat. Cover with a lid and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 5: Check Pasta Texture

Monitor the pasta’s texture, ensuring it reaches a perfect al dente consistency. Stir frequently to prevent sticking to the pan bottom.

Step 6: Add Fresh Spinach

Toss in fresh spinach and continue cooking on medium heat. Stir frequently until spinach wilts to your liking, which typically takes 2 minutes.

Step 7: Adjust Sauce Consistency

If you prefer a thicker sauce, continue cooking and stirring to reduce liquid and intensify flavors.

Step 8: Season and Serve

• Salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Optional: Sprinkle red pepper flakes for an extra kick of flavor.

Creamy Sausage Rigatoni Tips You’ll Love

• Sausage Selection Matters: Choose high-quality Italian sausage with robust flavor, preferably fresh ground sausage for maximum taste and texture.
• Prevent Pasta Sticking: Stir rigatoni frequently during cooking to ensure even heat distribution and avoid clumping at the bottom of the skillet.
• Cream Consistency Control: Keep an eye on sauce thickness by adjusting cooking time or adding small amounts of chicken broth if sauce becomes too dense.
• Spinach Wilting Technique: Add fresh spinach at the end of cooking to maintain vibrant color and prevent overcooking, which can make leaves turn mushy.
• Seasoning Success: Taste and adjust salt and pepper levels gradually, allowing flavors to develop naturally before final seasoning.

How to Store and Reheat Creamy Sausage Rigatoni Properly

• Refrigerator Storage: Transfer leftover creamy sausage rigatoni into an airtight container and seal tightly. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days, ensuring the pasta stays fresh and maintains its delicious flavor profile.
• Freezing Method: Carefully pack cooled pasta in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing as much air as possible. Freeze for maximum 2 months to preserve taste and texture without compromising quality.
• Reheating Technique: Warm refrigerated pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or cream to restore moisture and prevent drying. Stir gently and consistently until heated through completely, typically taking 4-5 minutes. Microwave alternative works well too – cover the dish and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each cycle to distribute warmth evenly.

Perfect Pairings for Creamy Sausage Rigatoni

• Spice Up with Zinfandel: Complement the creamy, rich sausage rigatoni with a bold Zinfandel wine, whose peppery and fruity notes will enhance the dish's spicy undertones and cut through the creamy texture.
• Crisp Arugula Salad Partner: Serve a light, peppery arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette alongside the pasta to provide a fresh, bright contrast to the hearty and creamy rigatoni.
• Garlic Parmesan Focaccia Sidekick: Pair the dish with warm, crusty garlic parmesan focaccia bread to soak up the delicious sauce and add a crunchy textural element to the meal.
• Refresh with Sparkling Water: Balance the richness of the pasta by serving chilled sparkling water with a slice of lemon, which will cleanse the palate between bites and provide a light, refreshing counterpoint.

Tasty Variations on Creamy Sausage Rigatoni

• Spicy Mediterranean Mix: Swap Italian sausage for chorizo, add diced bell peppers, replace chicken broth with white wine, and sprinkle crumbled feta cheese on top for a zesty Mediterranean-inspired version.
• Creamy Vegetarian Option: Substitute sausage with plant-based ground meat or roasted mushrooms, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth, and add extra vegetables like zucchini and roasted red peppers for depth.
• Herby Green Version: Increase spinach quantity, incorporate fresh basil and parsley, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter texture, and top with freshly grated parmesan cheese for an herbaceous profile.
• Protein-Packed Alternative: Mix in cooked chicken breast or shredded rotisserie chicken, include sun-dried tomatoes for intense flavor, and garnish with toasted pine nuts for added crunch and nutrition.

Creamy Sausage Rigatoni Recipe

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4.9 from 17 reviews

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

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Description

Creamy Sausage Rigatoni delivers a hearty Italian-inspired meal packed with robust flavors and comforting textures. Savory Italian sausage mingles with al dente pasta, creating a rich sauce that promises to satisfy your dinner cravings in one delightful skillet.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 15 ounces (425 grams) Italian sausage, crumbled
• 8 ounces (227 grams) rigatoni, uncooked
• 15 ounces (425 grams) tomato sauce
• 5 ounces (142 grams) fresh spinach

Liquid and Cream Components:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil

Seasonings and Aromatics:

• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt to taste
• Coarsely ground black pepper to taste
• Red pepper flakes to taste

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Instructions

1. Warm of olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium temperature, creating a smooth cooking surface.
2. Disintegrate the sausage into small, uniform crumbles directly into the heated pan, cooking for approximately 5 minutes until completely browned and no pink remains visible.
3. Eliminate excess fat by carefully draining any accumulated grease from the cooked sausage.
4. Introduce uncooked rigatoni pasta directly into the same skillet, combining with chicken broth, heavy cream (240 milliliters), minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and tomato sauce.
5. Thoroughly blend all ingredients, ensuring even distribution of flavors and ingredients.
6. Elevate the mixture to a rolling boil over medium heat, then reduce temperature and cover with a tight-fitting lid.
7. Simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, gently stirring every few minutes to prevent pasta from sticking and ensure uniform cooking.
8. Verify pasta texture, aiming for a perfect al dente consistency with slight resistance when biting.
9. Gently fold fresh spinach into the creamy mixture, allowing it to wilt for 2 to 3 minutes while maintaining gentle heat.
10. If a more robust sauce consistency is preferred, continue cooking and stirring for an additional 1 to 2 minutes.
11. Remove from heat and season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
12. Optional: Sprinkle red pepper flakes for an added layer of spicy complexity.

Notes

• Customize your pasta adventure by swapping Italian sausage with spicy chorizo or ground turkey for a personal twist.
• Creamy sauces love fresh herbs, so sprinkle chopped basil or parsley right before serving to elevate the dish’s brightness.
• Leftovers store beautifully in airtight containers for 3-4 days, making this recipe perfect for meal prepping during busy weeks.
• Vegetarian friends can replace sausage with plant-based crumbles or sautéed mushrooms without compromising rich, comforting flavors.
• Kitchen hack: Reserve a cup of pasta water before draining, which helps create silkier sauce if mixture becomes too thick during cooking.
• Cheese lovers can top each serving with freshly grated Parmesan or pecorino romano for an extra layer of deliciousness.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 685 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 905 mg
• Fat: 43 g
• Saturated Fat: 20 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 51 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 23 g
• Cholesterol: 105 mg