Creamy Sausage Rigatoni Recipe: A Hearty Italian Comfort Dish

Weeknight dinners demand quick, delicious solutions that satisfy hungry appetites.

This creamy sausage rigatoni recipe delivers comfort and flavor in one irresistible dish.

Rich Italian sausage mingles with al dente pasta, creating a mouthwatering combination that feels like a warm culinary hug.

Velvety sauce coats each rigatoni noodle with savory goodness that melts in your mouth.

Hearty and filling, this meal comes together faster than you might expect.

Fresh herbs and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese elevate the entire experience.

Prepare to fall in love with a pasta dish that promises pure, unapologetic deliciousness.

Creamy Sausage Rigatoni Signature Features

• Whip Up Quickly: Perfect for busy weeknights, this one-pan pasta dish comes together in under 30 minutes with minimal cleanup.
• Customize Your Comfort: Easily adaptable recipe allows swapping sausage types, adding different vegetables, or adjusting spice levels to suit family preferences.
• Pack in Nutrition: Combines protein-rich sausage with nutrient-dense spinach, creating a balanced meal that feels indulgent yet wholesome.
• Crowd-Pleasing Dinner: Creamy, hearty texture and robust flavors make this dish a hit with both adults and kids, ensuring everyone leaves the table satisfied.

What Goes Into Creamy Sausage Rigatoni

• Italian Sausage: A flavorful meat that adds rich, savory depth to the pasta dish.

• Rigatoni: A hearty, ridged pasta that perfectly captures the creamy sauce.
• Chicken Broth, Heavy Cream: Liquids that create a smooth, luxurious sauce for the pasta.

• Garlic, Salt, Black Pepper, Red Pepper Flakes: Seasonings that bring warmth, heat, and aromatic complexity to the dish.
• Marinara Sauce: A tomato-based sauce that adds tanginess and richness to the overall flavor profile.

• Fresh Spinach: A nutritious green that adds color, texture, and a light, fresh element to the creamy pasta.

Cooking Creamy Sausage Rigatoni Easily

Step 1: Brown Savory Sausage

Heat a large skillet over medium flame.

Crumble the sausage into the pan, breaking it into small pieces while cooking.

Sizzle until the meat turns golden brown and fully cooked.

Carefully drain any excess fat to keep the dish light and delicious.

Step 2: Create Creamy Pasta Base

Pour rigatoni, chicken broth, heavy cream, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and your favorite pasta sauce into the skillet.

Stir everything together gently.

Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce heat.

Cover the skillet and let the pasta simmer for 10-15 minutes until it reaches perfect al dente texture.

Step 3: Wilt Fresh Greens

Toss fresh spinach leaves into the creamy pasta.

Stir continuously until the spinach softens and becomes beautifully wilted.

Alternatively, remove the skillet from heat, cover, and let the residual warmth gently wilt the greens for about 4 minutes.

Step 4: Elevate Flavor Profile

Sprinkle in salt, freshly ground black pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick.

If you prefer a thicker sauce, continue cooking for a few extra minutes to reduce and intensify the flavors.

Serve hot and enjoy the comforting, restaurant-quality meal you’ve just created.

Top Tips for Creamy Sausage Rigatoni

• Pat cooked sausage with paper towels to remove extra grease, ensuring a cleaner, less oily dish.
• Select rigatoni with ridges to help sauce cling better, creating more flavorful bites.
• Add extra broth if sauce seems too thick, or simmer uncovered to reduce and thicken as needed.
• Add spinach gradually and stir gently to prevent overcooking, keeping leaves bright green and tender.
• Experiment with red pepper flakes and seasonings, starting with small amounts and adjusting for personal heat preference.

Sausage Rigatoni Variations to Try

• Vegetarian Sausage Swap: Replace pork sausage with plant-based sausage or crumbled tofu for a meat-free version that maintains protein and flavor.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free rigatoni or zucchini noodles to accommodate celiac or gluten-sensitive diners while keeping the creamy sauce intact.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Substitute rigatoni with cauliflower rice or spiralized vegetables for a lighter, lower-carbohydrate meal that preserves the original recipe's rich taste.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Swap heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream and use dairy-free sausage to create a lactose-free version that still delivers a creamy texture.

Serving Ideas for Creamy Sausage Rigatoni

• Cozy Family Dinner Companion: Serve with a crisp green salad and warm garlic bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
• Elegant Wine Pairing: Match with a medium-bodied red like Chianti or Sangiovese to complement the rich, savory sausage flavors.
• Quick Weeknight Garnish: Sprinkle freshly grated parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil on top for an extra burst of flavor and beautiful presentation.
• Protein Power Boost: Top with grilled chicken or sautéed shrimp for additional protein and a delightful meal variation.

Storage for Creamy Sausage Rigatoni Leftovers

• Store leftover Creamy Sausage Rigatoni in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Keep refrigerated at or below 40°F to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Warm gently in microwave or stovetop, adding a splash of broth or cream to restore sauce's creamy consistency. Stir occasionally to prevent burning and ensure even heating.
• Transfer cooled pasta to freezer-safe containers, removing excess air. Freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating for best texture and flavor.
• When storing or reheating, the sauce might separate. Simply stir thoroughly to recombine ingredients and restore original creamy texture.

FAQs

• Is rigatoni the best pasta for this recipe?

Rigatoni’s tube shape and ridges perfectly catch the creamy sauce, holding more flavor in each bite compared to smoother pastas.

• Can I use a different type of sausage?

Yes, you can substitute with Italian sausage, chicken sausage, or plant-based sausage depending on your preference and dietary needs.

• How do I prevent the cream from curdling?

Keep the heat at medium and stir frequently to ensure a smooth, consistent sauce without separating or breaking.

• What makes this pasta dish creamy?

The combination of broth and heavy cream creates a rich, velvety sauce that coats the pasta and sausage evenly.

Creamy Sausage Rigatoni Recipe

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4.7 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty Italian Sausage Rigatoni delivers pure comfort with robust flavors dancing through perfectly al dente pasta. Bold marinara and rich cream merge into a luxurious sauce that wraps each rigatoni noodle in pure Mediterranean magic, beckoning you to savor every delicious forkful.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 15 ounces (425 grams) Italian sausage, crumbled
• 8 ounces (226 grams) rigatoni, uncooked
• 15 ounces (425 grams) tomato sauce
• 5 ounces (142 grams) fresh spinach

Liquid and Creamy Components:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) chicken broth
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream

Seasonings and Aromatics:

• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste
• Red pepper flakes to taste

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Instructions

1. In a spacious skillet, warm olive oil over medium heat and sizzle sausage for approximately 5 minutes, ensuring complete cooking while periodically breaking into crumbly pieces.
2. Pour rigatoni, chicken broth, heavy cream, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and marinara sauce into the skillet, bringing the mixture to a robust boil before reducing heat, covering, and simmering for 12-14 minutes until pasta reaches perfect al dente texture.
3. Gently fold fresh spinach leaves into the bubbling pasta, allowing them to delicately wilt and integrate seamlessly with the creamy sauce, stirring occasionally to distribute evenly.
4. Enhance flavor profile by sprinkling kosher salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes, adjusting seasoning to personal preference and extending cooking time if a more concentrated sauce consistency is desired.

Notes

• Drain sausage thoroughly to prevent greasy texture and ensure a cleaner, more concentrated meat flavor.
• Use fresh Italian sausage for best taste, removing casings before cooking for better integration with sauce.
• Choose whole wheat rigatoni for added fiber and nutrition without compromising creamy texture.
• For dairy-free version, substitute heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream, maintaining rich consistency.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 565
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 35 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg