Creamy Italian Sausage Rigatoni Pasta Recipe
This Rigatoni Pasta recipe combines perfectly cooked rigatoni with a creamy, savory Italian sausage and tomato sauce infused with garlic, Italian seasoning, and fresh basil. Finished with a splash of pasta water for the ideal sauce consistency and garnished with fresh basil and Parmesan, this dish offers a rich and comforting Italian classic.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces rigatoni pasta
- 1/2 cup pasta water (reserved)
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage
- 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup fresh chopped basil, plus more for garnish
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Garnish
- Shredded Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rigatoni according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
- Prepare the Sauce Base: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium-low heat. Add minced garlic and Italian seasoning. Stir constantly, cooking for 30-60 seconds, careful not to let the garlic brown or burn to keep a mild, aromatic flavor.
- Cook the Sausage: Add the ground Italian sausage to the pan, increase the heat to medium-high, and cook until the sausage is browned and cooked through, breaking it apart with a spatula as it cooks to ensure even browning.
- Add Tomatoes and Cream: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, heavy cream, fresh chopped basil, and season with kosher salt and black pepper. Let the sauce simmer for a few minutes until it is thoroughly warmed and flavors meld together.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked rigatoni back into the pan with the sauce. Pour in a splash of the reserved pasta water and toss everything together to evenly coat the pasta with a glossy and slightly creamy sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Serve the pasta hot, garnished with additional fresh basil and a generous sprinkle of shredded Parmesan cheese for added flavor and texture.
- Enjoy and Review: If you enjoyed this hearty and flavorful rigatoni pasta, consider leaving a 5-star rating and review to share your experience!
Notes
- Reserve some pasta water before draining to adjust sauce consistency easily.
- Do not overcook garlic to avoid bitterness.
- Use fresh basil for best flavor impact and garnish.
- Adjust salt and pepper according to taste preferences.
- Substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce if desired.
Keywords: Rigatoni Pasta, Italian Sausage Pasta, Creamy Tomato Pasta, Easy Italian Pasta Recipe
