Irresistible Creamy Sausage Rigatoni Recipe for Cozy Nights

Tucking into a satisfying creamy sausage rigatoni brings comfort right to your plate.

Pasta nights deserve something special that makes everyone smile.

Rich Italian sausage adds depth and hearty flavor to this classic dish.

Smooth cream sauce coats each rigatoni noodle with luxurious texture.

Weeknight dinners feel instantly gourmet with minimal effort required.

Seasonings like garlic and herbs create a mouthwatering aroma that fills the kitchen.

Let’s dive into this simple yet irresistible meal that promises to become a new favorite.

How To Store Creamy Sausage Rigatoni The Right Way

• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth and maintain food quality.
• Transfer cooled pasta to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air, seal tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months. Label with date and contents.
• Place portion in microwave-safe dish, add 2-3 tablespoons of chicken broth or water to prevent drying. Cover with microwave-safe lid or damp paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until heated through.
• Pour pasta into skillet over medium-low heat. Add splash of chicken broth or cream to restore moisture.

FAQs For Creamy Sausage Rigatoni

• What type of pasta works best for this recipe?

Rigatoni is ideal due to its large, tube-like shape that holds sauce perfectly and creates a hearty texture. Its ridged surface helps trap the creamy sauce and sausage bits.

• Can I use a different type of sausage?

Yes, you can substitute with Italian sausage, spicy sausage, or even ground turkey sausage. Choose a flavor that complements the dish and matches your taste preferences.

• Is this recipe considered a one-pot meal?

Absolutely! This Creamy Sausage Rigatoni is prepared entirely in a single skillet, making cleanup easy and reducing the number of dishes you’ll need to wash afterward.

Why Creamy Sausage Rigatoni Is So Comforting

• Boost Nutrition Secretly: Packed with protein from sausage and hidden spinach nutrients, this dish sneaks healthy ingredients into a crowd-pleasing meal without compromising taste.
• Master One-Pot Magic: Eliminate multiple dishes and complicated cooking steps by preparing everything in a single skillet, making cleanup a breeze and simplifying the entire cooking process.
• Customize with Ease: Flexible recipe allows simple modifications like switching sausage types, adjusting spice levels, or adding extra vegetables to match personal preferences and dietary needs.
• Comfort Food Champion: Delivers rich, creamy textures and satisfying flavors that feel like a warm hug, perfect for family dinners or when craving something hearty and delicious.

What Goes In Creamy Sausage Rigatoni

• Rigatoni Pasta: A hearty, tube-shaped pasta that perfectly captures sauce in its ridges.
• Italian Sausage: Flavorful ground meat that adds rich, savory depth to the dish.
• Spinach: Fresh green vegetable that provides nutrients and a pop of color.

• Chicken Broth, Heavy Cream, Tomato Sauce: A creamy, flavorful combination that creates a luscious sauce for the pasta.

• Garlic, Italian Seasoning, Salt, Black Pepper, Red Pepper Flakes: Herbs and spices that enhance the overall flavor profile of the dish.

• Olive Oil: Used to start the cooking process and prevent sticking.

Steps To Make Creamy Sausage Rigatoni

Step 1: Sizzle Sausage

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add crumbled sausage and cook for 5 minutes, breaking it apart with a spoon until fully cooked. Drain any excess grease, leaving sausage in the skillet.

Step 2: Build the Pasta Base

• Uncooked rigatoni
• Chicken broth
• Heavy cream
• Minced garlic
• Italian seasoning
• Tomato sauce

Stir everything together thoroughly.

Step 3: Simmer and Cook Pasta

Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat. Cover with a lid and cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent sticking. Ensure pasta reaches al dente consistency.

Step 4: Wilt the Greens

Add fresh spinach to the skillet. Cook on medium heat, stirring frequently, until spinach wilts completely (about 2 minutes). Alternatively, remove from heat, cover, and let spinach wilt using residual heat for 4 minutes.

Step 5: Adjust Sauce Consistency

If you prefer a thicker sauce, cook uncovered for a few additional minutes to reduce.

Step 6: Season and Serve

• Salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Red pepper flakes (optional)

Taste before adding salt, as sausage might already be salty.

Stir well and serve hot. Pair with garlic bread for a complete meal.

Helpful Tips For Creamy Sausage Rigatoni

• Choose Lean Sausage: Opt for lower-fat sausage varieties to reduce overall calories while maintaining rich flavor.
• Prevent Pasta Sticking: Stir frequently during cooking and use a wide skillet to ensure even heat distribution and prevent rigatoni from clumping together.
• Adjust Liquid Consistency: Control sauce thickness by adding extra chicken broth if too dry or simmering uncovered to reduce if too watery.
• Swap Spinach Creatively: Replace spinach with kale, Swiss chard, or arugula for different nutritional profiles and exciting taste variations.
• Boost Protein Power: Incorporate additional protein by sprinkling grated parmesan cheese or adding grilled chicken strips on top of the finished dish.

Ways To Switch Up Creamy Sausage Rigatoni

• Vegetarian Comfort Bowl: Replace sausage with plant-based crumbles or sautéed mushrooms, using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a hearty meat-free version.
• Gluten-Free Pasta Delight: Swap rigatoni with gluten-free pasta made from rice, chickpea, or lentil flour to accommodate dietary restrictions while maintaining creamy texture.
• Spicy Southwestern Remix: Substitute Italian sausage with chorizo, replace Italian seasoning with chili powder and cumin, and add roasted corn and black beans for a zesty southwestern profile.
• Lighter Mediterranean Variation: Use turkey sausage, swap heavy cream for Greek yogurt, incorporate fresh herbs like basil and oregano, and add crumbled feta cheese for a lighter, Mediterranean-inspired dish.

What Pairs Well With Creamy Sausage Rigatoni

• Perfectly Paired Wine: Choose a medium-bodied red like Chianti or Sangiovese that complements the rich, savory sausage and balances the creamy sauce with its bright acidity.
• Ideal Bread Companion: Serve with toasted garlic bread brushed with olive oil and sprinkled with fresh parsley, creating a crunchy texture that soaks up the delicious sauce perfectly.
• Crisp Side Salad: Prepare a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette, which cuts through the richness of the pasta and provides a fresh, peppery contrast to the hearty main dish.
• Refreshing Beverage Option: Select a crisp, cold Italian pilsner or pale ale that cleanses the palate between bites and matches the robust flavors of the sausage and creamy sauce.

Creamy Sausage Rigatoni Recipe

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4.7 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 22-27 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty “Creamy Sausage Rigatoni” promises a comforting Italian-inspired feast for dinner lovers seeking bold flavors. Robust sausage and silky pasta create a perfect harmony that brings warmth to your evening meal.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 15 ounces (425 grams) Italian sausage (crumbled)

Pasta and Sauce:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) rigatoni (uncooked)
• 15 ounces (425 grams) tomato sauce
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream

Herbs, Seasonings, and Aromatics:

• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 5 ounces (142 grams) fresh spinach
• Salt (to taste)
• Coarsely ground black pepper (to taste)
• Red pepper flakes (optional, to taste)

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Instructions

1. Warm olive oil in a spacious, deep skillet over medium temperature until shimmering.
2. Crumble sausage into the skillet and cook approximately 5 minutes, breaking meat into smaller pieces until completely browned and cooked through.
3. Drain excess fat, keeping sausage in the pan.
4. Add rigatoni, chicken broth, heavy cream, garlic, Italian seasoning, and tomato sauce directly into the skillet with sausage, stirring thoroughly to integrate ingredients.
5. Increase heat to bring liquid to a rolling boil, then reduce to medium-low.
6. Cover skillet and simmer for 12-14 minutes, stirring periodically to prevent pasta from sticking and ensure even cooking.
7. Check pasta for al dente texture, then gently fold in fresh spinach leaves.
8. Continue cooking 2-3 minutes until spinach wilts and becomes vibrant green.
9. If sauce seems thin, continue simmering uncovered to allow natural reduction.
10. Remove from heat and season with black pepper and optional red pepper flakes.
11. Taste and adjust seasoning, being mindful of sausage’s inherent saltiness.
12. Serve immediately, accompanied by crusty garlic bread for a satisfying meal.

Notes

• Choose a high-fat sausage like sweet Italian or spicy chorizo for maximum flavor depth and richness.
• Remove sausage casings before cooking to ensure even crumbling and better texture integration.
• Opt for low-sodium chicken broth to control salt levels and prevent over-seasoning.
• Use whole milk or half-and-half as lighter alternatives to heavy cream for a less dense sauce.
• Swap spinach with kale or Swiss chard for varied nutritional profiles and slightly different taste experiences.
• Add grated Parmesan or pecorino cheese at serving for extra umami and creamy complexity.
• Keep stirring frequently to prevent pasta from sticking and ensure uniform cooking throughout the dish.
• Check pasta doneness by tasting a piece – it should be tender but still have a slight bite.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 17-22 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 547 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 710 mg
• Fat: 32 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 37 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg