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Creamy Italian Sausage Rigatoni That Warms Hearts Every Time

Creamy Italian Sausage Rigatoni

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Creamy Italian Sausage Rigatoni brings comfort and rich flavors to your table perfect for a warm satisfying meal anytime

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound Italian sausage (preferably sweet or mild, casings removed and crumbled)
  • 12 ounces rigatoni pasta (uncooked)
  • 1 small onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 cup marinara sauce (smooth texture works best)
  • 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning (a blend of oregano, basil, and thyme)
  • Salt to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
  • Instructions

  • Boil a large pot of salted water and cook rigatoni until al dente, about 10-12 minutes depending on the brand. Drain, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water, and set aside.
  • Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add crumbled Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spatula. Cook for 5-7 minutes until nicely browned and cooked through. Remove sausage from pan and set aside, leaving the rendered fat.
  • In the same skillet, add diced onion and sauté until soft and translucent, around 3-4 minutes. Toss in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant, careful not to burn it.
  • Pour in the marinara sauce, followed by the heavy cream and whole milk. Stir well to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low.
  • Sprinkle Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper into the sauce. Stir thoroughly. Let the sauce simmer for 5 minutes to thicken slightly and let flavors meld together.
  • Return the cooked sausage to the skillet. Stir to mix. Then fold in the drained rigatoni, tossing everything to coat the pasta evenly in the creamy sauce. If the sauce looks too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen it.
  • Remove the skillet from heat and sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the top. Stir gently until the cheese melts and integrates into the sauce, creating that signature creamy finish.
  • Spoon the creamy Italian sausage rigatoni onto plates and garnish with freshly chopped parsley for color and freshness.
  • Notes

    A comforting and flavorful creamy pasta dish featuring spicy Italian sausage and rigatoni in a rich, creamy sauce that’s perfect for fuss-free weeknight dinners.