Rigatoni with Creamy Tomato and Sausage Sauce

Dive into comforting indulgence with this Rigatoni with Creamy Tomato and Sausage Sauce, a hearty Italian-inspired dish that’s bursting with bold flavors and creamy textures. Perfectly al dente rigatoni is enveloped in a luscious tomato cream sauce packed with the rich, savory goodness of Italian sausage, fragrant garlic, and sweet caramelized onions. A touch of dried oregano and optional red chili flakes lend a subtle spice, while Parmesan cheese and fresh basil elevate the dish with a burst of freshness and depth. Ready in just 35 minutes, this recipe is an ideal weeknight dinner that feels gourmet yet effortless. Serve it with a sprinkle of Parmesan and extra basil for a restaurant-worthy finish. Perfect for pasta lovers, comfort food enthusiasts, and anyone craving a soul-soothing meal with a touch of elegance.

Nutriscore Rating: 61/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 400 grams rigatoni pasta
• 300 grams Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casings removed)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion (finely chopped)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 400 grams crushed tomatoes (canned)
• 200 milliliters heavy cream
• 50 grams Parmesan cheese (grated)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 0.5 teaspoons dried red chili flakes (optional)
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil leaves (chopped, plus extra for garnish)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
• 120 milliliters pasta cooking water

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rigatoni according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 120 milliliters of pasta cooking water before draining.

Step 2

While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Step 3

Add the Italian sausage to the skillet, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook for 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove the sausage from the skillet with a slotted spoon and set aside.

Step 4

In the same skillet, add more olive oil if necessary, and sauté the onion for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent.

Step 5

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 6

Add the crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, and red chili flakes (if using) to the skillet. Stir to combine.

Step 7

Lower the heat to medium-low and let the sauce simmer for 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally.

Step 8

Pour in the heavy cream and return the cooked sausage to the skillet. Stir well and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens.

Step 9

Add the grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil to the sauce. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

Step 10

Toss the cooked rigatoni into the skillet with the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add some of the reserved pasta cooking water, a few tablespoons at a time, until the desired consistency is achieved.

Step 11

Serve the pasta immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1629.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2808.0

Total Fat 184.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 78.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 451.8mg	0%
Sodium 6186.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 167.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 16.7g	0%
Total Sugars 24.2g
Protein 98.8g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 776.4mg	0%
Iron 12.3mg	0%
Potassium 1996.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 60.8%

Protein: 14.5%

Carbs: 24.7%