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Creamy Italian Sausage Rigatoni

A comforting dish that combines rich flavors with hearty textures, featuring Italian sausage, fresh herbs, and a creamy sauce.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 700
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the sauce
  • 2 Tablespoons Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1 large Onion (diced)
  • 4 Cloves Garlic (minced)
  • 1.5 lbs. Italian Sausage May use 1 lb. if you want less sausage
  • 2 28-ounce cans Whole or Crushed Tomatoes
  • 0.25 cup Fresh Basil, chopped Or 1 Tablespoon dried basil
  • 0.25 cup Fresh Oregano, chopped Or 1 Tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon Red Chili Flakes
  • 2 teaspoons Salt
  • 1 teaspoon Pepper
  • 1.5 cups Heavy Cream
  • 1.5 cups Grated Parmesan Cheese
For the Pasta
  • 1 lb. Rigatoni Pasta

Method
 

Cooking the Sausage and Vegetables
  1. Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add the olive oil, then add the diced onion and cook for 7-8 minutes until softened.
  2. Add the minced garlic and Italian sausage, cooking for an additional 7-8 minutes until the sausage begins to brown.
Cooking the Pasta
  1. While the sausage is cooking, fill a separate large pot with water and bring it to a boil over high heat.
  2. Add a generous amount of salt to the water and then add the rigatoni. Cook the pasta according to package instructions, usually around 9-11 minutes for al dente.
Preparing the Sauce
  1. Add the canned tomatoes to the sausage mixture. If using whole tomatoes, blend them in a blender until smooth.
  2. Stir in the fresh basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Let the mixture come to a boil, then reduce the heat to let it simmer for 5-7 minutes.
Making It Creamy
  1. Add the heavy cream and 1 cup of Parmesan cheese to the sauce.
  2. Stir well and let the sauce simmer on medium-low heat for 5-7 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
Combining Pasta and Sauce
  1. Drain the rigatoni and add it to the sauce, stirring to coat the pasta.
  2. If you prefer a less saucy dish, let the sauce simmer for an additional 10 minutes to reduce.
Serving
  1. Plate the pasta and garnish with the remaining 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese and fresh basil.
  2. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

Use high-quality Italian sausage for the best flavor. If you like more heat, add more red chili flakes to the sauce. You can use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter option. For extra flavor, consider adding a splash of white wine to the sauce before simmering.