Description
This hearty Creamy Italian Sausage Rigatoni Delight combines robust sausage with pasta in a rich, velvety sauce. Cheese-lovers and comfort meal enthusiasts will savor each satisfying bite of this classic Italian-inspired dish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (453 g) sweet ground Italian sausage
- 1 cup fresh baby spinach
- 1 14.5 oz (411 g) can diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 chopped onion
- 2 minced garlic cloves
- 8 oz (226 g) rigatoni pasta
- 1 ½ cups (360 mL) half and half
- ½ cup (120 mL) chicken stock
- ¾ cup (75 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp (15 mL) olive oil
- ½ teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Boiling Preparation: Bring water to a vigorous boil in a large pot. Submerge rigatoni and cook until perfectly tender, about 8-10 minutes. Drain completely and reserve.
- Sausage Foundation: Ignite olive oil in a expansive skillet over medium-high heat. Crumble ground Italian sausage with diced onions, sautéing until meat caramelizes and onions become translucent, approximately 6-7 minutes.
- Aromatic Enhancement: Lower heat and introduce minced garlic, stirring swiftly to release its intense fragrance without scorching, roughly 30-45 seconds.
- Sauce Creation: Stream half-and-half cream and chicken broth into the skillet. Whisk Parmesan cheese gradually, transforming the liquid into a luxurious, velvety sauce. Simmer gently for 3-4 minutes, stirring intermittently.
- Flavor Layering: Sprinkle red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, and salt. Fold in diced tomatoes and baby spinach, allowing the greens to wilt naturally and integrate with the sauce.
- Final Assembly: Reunite sausage-onion mixture with the skillet. Toss rigatoni thoroughly, ensuring each pasta strand is lavishly coated with the rich, creamy sauce.
- Finishing Touch: Reduce heat, letting the dish meld and intensify for 4-5 minutes. Plate immediately, optionally crowned with additional Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- Pasta Perfection: Choose rigatoni with ridges to help sauce cling better, creating more flavorful bites.
- Meat Mastery: Break sausage into tiny crumbles for even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
- Cream Control: Whisk Parmesan slowly to prevent cheese clumping and ensure a silky, smooth sauce.
- Seasoning Strategy: Taste and adjust salt levels carefully, as Parmesan and chicken broth already contain sodium.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 502
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 628 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 21 g
- Cholesterol: 66 mg