Description
Creamy Italian sausage rigatoni delights pasta enthusiasts with its rich Mediterranean flavors. Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly, promising a satisfying meal that lingers in memories after each comforting bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) Italian sausage (casings removed)
- 12 ounces (340 g) rigatoni pasta
- 2 cups (480 ml) fresh spinach
- 1 can (14.5 oz or 411 g) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 2 cups (480 ml) chicken broth
- ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream
- ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup (75 g) onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil (if needed)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
Instructions
- Sear Sausage: Caramelize Italian sausage in heated olive oil, meticulously crumbling the meat until achieving a deep golden hue and ensuring complete cooking, releasing robust flavors and creating a rich foundation.
- Develop Aromatic Base: Retain a modest amount of rendered fat, then introduce finely chopped onions and garlic, sautéing until they become translucent and fragrant, infusing the dish with intense savory notes.
- Create Liquid Foundation: Incorporate diced tomatoes and chicken broth, generating a harmonious liquid environment that will gently simmer and tenderize the upcoming pasta, developing complex layers of flavor.
- Cook Pasta: Immerse rigatoni directly into the simmering liquid, ensuring complete coverage and occasional stirring to prevent adherence, cooking until pasta reaches ideal al dente consistency with a slight bite.
- Transform Sauce: Lower heat and introduce heavy cream, stirring consistently to generate a luxurious, silky sauce that elegantly thickens and coats each pasta ridge with creamy sophistication.
- Integrate Greens: Fold fresh spinach leaves into the creamy mixture, allowing them to delicately wilt and merge seamlessly, adding vibrant color and nutritional depth to the composition.
- Finale and Seasoning: Conclude by generously sprinkling Parmesan cheese, complementing with salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes, ensuring complete cheese integration and a perfectly balanced flavor profile.
Notes
- Sausage Searing Tip: Brown the sausage thoroughly to develop deep, rich flavor and create a caramelized exterior that adds complexity to the entire dish.
- Pasta Cooking Hack: Stir rigatoni frequently during cooking to prevent clumping and ensure even cooking, achieving that perfect al dente texture every time.
- Cream Incorporation Technique: Add heavy cream slowly and on low heat to prevent curdling and create a silky, smooth sauce that clings beautifully to the pasta.
- Spinach Wilting Secret: Add spinach at the last moment to preserve its vibrant green color and fresh nutrients, ensuring it doesn’t become overly soggy or lose its delicate texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 70mg