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.
Ingredients
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12 oz rigatoni pasta
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Salt (for boiling water)
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1 tablespoon olive oil
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1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casings removed)
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1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
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3 garlic cloves, minced
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1 cup heavy cream (substitute coconut milk for dairy-free)
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1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
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1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
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Salt and pepper, to taste
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½ cup reserved pasta water (optional, for adjusting sauce)
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Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
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Boil pasta in salted water according to package instructions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
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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).
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Sauté aromatics: Add onion and cook until soft (2–3 minutes). Add garlic and sauté 30 seconds.
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Make the sauce: Pour in cream and add Italian seasoning. Bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in Parmesan gradually until melted and smooth.
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Combine: Toss in cooked rigatoni. Stir to coat. If needed, add pasta water to thin the sauce.
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Season and serve: Taste and adjust with salt and pepper. Garnish with parsley and serve warm.
Notes
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Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
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Reheating: Warm on the stovetop with a splash of cream or milk to loosen the sauce.
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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