Go Back
ating

Creamy Sausage Rigatoni: A Flavorful and Comforting Dinner

Core Ingredients:
  • Olive oil – 1 tbsp
  • Italian sausage (crumbled) – 15 oz
  • Rigatoni (uncooked) – 8 oz
  • Chicken broth – 1 cup
  • Heavy cream – 1 cup
  • Garlic (minced) – 4 cloves
  • Italian seasoning – 1 tsp
  • Tomato sauce – 15 oz
  • Fresh spinach – 5 oz
  • Salt – To taste
  • Black pepper (coarsely ground) – To taste
  • Red pepper flakes (optional) – ¼ tsp
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Core Ingredients:
  • Olive oil – 1 tbsp
  • Italian sausage crumbled – 15 oz
  • Rigatoni uncooked – 8 oz
  • Chicken broth – 1 cup
  • Heavy cream – 1 cup
  • Garlic minced – 4 cloves
  • Italian seasoning – 1 tsp
  • Tomato sauce – 15 oz
  • Fresh spinach – 5 oz
  • Salt – To taste
  • Black pepper coarsely ground – To taste
  • Red pepper flakes optional – ¼ tsp

Method
 

Cook the Sausage:
  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add the crumbled Italian sausage and cook for 5 minutes until browned, breaking it into smaller pieces.
  3. Drain any excess grease to keep the sauce from becoming too oily.
Combine Key Ingredients:
  1. To the same skillet, add uncooked rigatoni, chicken broth, heavy cream, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and tomato sauce.
  2. Stir well to ensure the pasta is coated evenly in the mixture.
Simmer and Cook:
  1. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat.
  2. Cover the skillet with a lid and cook for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rigatoni is al dente and the sauce has thickened.
Add Fresh Spinach:
  1. Stir in the fresh spinach and let it wilt over medium heat. Alternatively, remove the skillet from the heat, cover, and let the spinach wilt with residual heat for about 4 minutes.
Adjust the Sauce Consistency:
  1. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of chicken broth or cream to loosen it. For a thicker sauce, cook uncovered for a few minutes, stirring frequently.
Season and Serve:
  1. Remove the skillet from heat and season the dish with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if desired).
  2. Serve hot, garnished with Parmesan cheese or fresh basil for an extra burst of flavor.

Notes

  • Use fresh spinach for the best flavor and texture.
  • For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half.
  • Make it spicier by adding cayenne pepper or using hot Italian sausage.