Easy Creamy Sausage Rigatoni That Melts in Your Mouth

Introduction

Craving something cozy, creamy, and totally comforting after a long day? You're not alone. This Creamy Sausage Rigatoni recipe hits all the right notes — rich, cheesy, savory, and super satisfying.

Whether you're feeding your family or whipping up a quick weeknight dinner, this creamy pasta dish delivers big flavor without requiring a culinary degree. The magic lies in a luscious Parmesan cream sauce, perfectly browned Italian sausage, and tender rigatoni that holds every drop of that dreamy sauce. If you're a fan of quick creamy pasta recipes, this one’s going to become your go-to.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✅ Ready in under 30 minutes
✅ Uses simple, pantry-friendly ingredients
✅ Easily customizable – add veggies, proteins, or spice it up
✅ The ultimate comfort food – family-approved!
✅ Perfect for leftovers – if you have any!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Let’s break this down into two simple parts: pasta and sauce.

For the Pasta:

• 12 oz rigatoni pasta
• Salt (for boiling water)
• Optional: ½ cup reserved pasta water (helps thicken sauce and improve texture)

For the Sauce:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casings removed)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
• 1 cup heavy cream (or use coconut milk for dairy-free)
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt & pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley (for garnish)

💡 Pro Tip: Always grate your Parmesan fresh – it melts more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese and adds richer flavor.

[Looking for quality Italian sausage? Check this guide from USDA.]

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these quick steps and dinner will be ready before you know it:

1. Boil the pasta: Cook rigatoni in generously salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water and drain the rest.
2. Cook the sausage: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sausage and break it up with a spatula. Cook until browned and cooked through (about 6–8 minutes).
3. Sauté aromatics: Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook for 2–3 minutes until soft. Stir in the garlic and sauté for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Create the sauce: Pour in the cream and Italian seasoning. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring often. Slowly stir in the grated Parmesan until smooth and creamy (about 3–5 minutes).
5. Combine: Add the drained pasta to the sauce. If it’s too thick, stir in a bit of the reserved pasta water. Mix well until pasta is fully coated.
6. Season and serve: Add salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately.

Recipe Notes & Tips

Storage Tips
🧊 Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Reheating Tips
🔥 Reheat gently in a pan with a splash of milk or cream to bring back the creaminess.

Variations to Try

• Add sautéed mushrooms or spinach for a veggie boost.
• Crumble crispy bacon on top for extra indulgence.
• Swap sausage with grilled chicken or shrimp for a lighter twist.
• Make it spicy by using hot Italian sausage or adding red pepper flakes.

Nutrition Facts

These values are estimates and may vary based on brands and ingredient choices.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

❓ Can I use gluten-free pasta?
✅ Yes! Just follow the package directions to avoid overcooking.

❓ Why is my sauce clumpy?
❌ You may have added cold cheese or skipped the pasta water – that starchy water helps emulsify and smooth the sauce.

❓ Can I add protein?
✅ Absolutely! Grilled chicken, shrimp, or even crispy tofu can be great additions.

❓ Can I make this dairy-free?
✅ Yes – swap the heavy cream with unsweetened coconut cream and use vegan Parmesan alternatives.

❓ Can I freeze Creamy Sausage Rigatoni?
❌ Not ideal. Cream-based sauces tend to separate when frozen and reheated. Fresh is best!

Conclusion

There you have it — a simple yet incredibly flavorful Creamy Sausage Rigatoni that’s perfect for any night of the week. It’s rich, comforting, and oh-so-easy to customize. Whether you’re curled up on the couch or hosting friends, this dish is sure to impress.

Try it tonight and don’t forget to tag us @Simple Recipes on Pinterest! We love seeing your delicious results.

Creamy Sausage Rigatoni

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• Author: Chef
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings

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Description

This Creamy Sausage Rigatoni is the ultimate comfort food – rigatoni pasta smothered in a rich, garlicky Parmesan cream sauce with savory Italian sausage. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s a perfect weeknight dinner that feels fancy without the fuss.

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Ingredients

• 12 oz rigatoni pasta

• Salt (for boiling water)

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casings removed)

• 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped

• 3 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 cup heavy cream (substitute coconut milk for dairy-free)

• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

• Salt and pepper, to taste

• ½ cup reserved pasta water (optional, for adjusting sauce)

• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

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Instructions

• Boil pasta in salted water according to package instructions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.

• Brown the sausage: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add sausage, breaking it up with a spatula. Cook until browned and cooked through (6–8 minutes).

• Sauté aromatics: Add onion and cook until soft (2–3 minutes). Add garlic and sauté 30 seconds.

• Make the sauce: Pour in cream and add Italian seasoning. Bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in Parmesan gradually until melted and smooth.

• Combine: Toss in cooked rigatoni. Stir to coat. If needed, add pasta water to thin the sauce.

• Season and serve: Taste and adjust with salt and pepper. Garnish with parsley and serve warm.

Notes

• Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

• Reheating: Warm on the stovetop with a splash of cream or milk to loosen the sauce.

• Variations: Add sautéed spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms, or crispy bacon for extra depth.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Pasta, Dinner
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 450kcal
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 720mg
• Fat: 22g
• Carbohydrates: 50g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 15g
• Cholesterol: 65mg

Keywords: creamy sausage rigatoni, creamy pasta recipe, Italian pasta dinner, parmesan sausage rigatoni, easy comfort food