Name: Creamy Italian Sausage Rigatoni Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2 Tablespoons Extra-Virgin Olive Oil; 1 large Onion, diced; 4 Garlic Cloves, minced; 1 1/2 lbs Italian Sausage (can use 1 lb for less sausage); 2 (28-ounce) cans Whole or Crushed Tomatoes; 1/4 cup Fresh Basil, chopped (or 1 Tablespoon dried basil); 1/4 cup Fresh Oregano, chopped (or 1 Tablespoon dried oregano); 1 teaspoon Red Chili Flakes; 2 teaspoons Salt; 1 teaspoon Pepper; 1 1/2 cups Heavy Cream; 1 1/2 cups Grated Parmesan Cheese (divided); 1 lb Rigatoni Pasta

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Introduction

This Creamy Italian Sausage Rigatoni is a comforting and flavorful pasta dish that brings together rich sausage, fragrant herbs, and a luscious creamy tomato sauce. Perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner, it’s simple to prepare yet impressive in taste.

A close-up of a white bowl filled with rigatoni pasta coated in creamy, light orange sauce, mixed with round slices of browned sausage pieces. Small bits of green spinach are scattered throughout the dish, adding contrast. The pasta tubes are thick, hollow, and cooked to a tender texture, sitting in multiple layers of sauce and sausage, giving a rich and hearty look. The background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 large onion, diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 lbs Italian sausage (or 1 lb for less sausage)
2 (28-ounce) cans whole or crushed tomatoes
1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried basil)
1/4 cup fresh oregano, chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried oregano)
1 teaspoon red chili flakes
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1 1/2 cups grated Parmesan cheese
1 lb rigatoni pasta

Instructions

Step 1: Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the olive oil and diced onion, cooking for 7-8 minutes until the onion softens.
Step 2: Add minced garlic and Italian sausage to the pot. Cook for another 7-8 minutes until the sausage is browned.
Step 3: While the sausage cooks, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add rigatoni and cook according to package instructions (about 9-11 minutes) until al dente.
Step 4: Add the canned tomatoes to the sausage mixture. If using whole tomatoes, blend them until smooth before adding. Stir in basil, oregano, red chili flakes, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 5-7 minutes.
Step 5: Stir in the heavy cream and 1 cup of Parmesan cheese. Let the sauce simmer on medium-low for another 5-7 minutes, tasting and adjusting seasoning as needed.
Step 6: Drain the rigatoni and add it to the sauce, stirring to coat the pasta evenly. For a thicker sauce, simmer for an additional 10 minutes before combining.
Step 7: Serve the rigatoni topped with the remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese and fresh basil. Enjoy immediately.

Tips & Variations

For a milder dish, reduce or omit the red chili flakes.
Use sweet Italian sausage for less spice, or spicy sausage for a kick.
Fresh herbs add brightness, but dried herbs work well if fresh isn’t available.
If using whole canned tomatoes, blending them ensures a smooth sauce consistency.
Adding a splash of white wine to the sauce after the sausage is cooked can deepen flavor.

Storage

Store leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally, or microwave until warmed through. Add a splash of cream or water if the sauce thickens too much during reheating.

How to Serve

The dish shows a close-up of rigatoni pasta layered with creamy, light orange sauce. Scattered throughout are small, browned sausage slices with a slightly crispy texture. Small green spinach leaves add a pop of color on and around the sausage and pasta. The rigatoni pasta tubes are thick, ridged, and coated evenly with sauce, with some rigatoni slightly stacked on top of each other. All the food is served on a white plate, placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, other tube-shaped pastas like penne or ziti work well with this creamy sausage sauce. Just adjust cooking time according to the pasta type.

Is this recipe freezer-friendly?

Yes, you can freeze the cooked sauce and pasta separately in airtight containers for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating to preserve texture and flavor.