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Creamy Italian Sausage Rigatoni

A delicious weeknight dinner featuring tender rigatoni pasta and flavorful Italian sausage in a rich and creamy sauce, perfect for the whole family.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 550
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the pasta
  • 12 oz rigatoni pasta Cooked until al dente
  • 1 tbsp salt For boiling pasta
For the sauce
  • 1 tbsp olive oil For cooking sausage
  • 1 lb Italian sausage Use spicy or sweet based on preference
  • 3 cloves garlic Minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream Can substitute with half-and-half or milk
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese Grated, for rich flavor
  • to taste seasonings (salt, pepper) Adjust based on preference
For serving
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley Chopped, for garnish
  • additional to taste Parmesan cheese For garnish, optional

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Boil the rigatoni in salted water until al dente, then drain and set aside.
  2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
  3. Add the Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks.
Sauce Making
  1. Once the sausage is cooked, add minced garlic and cook for another minute.
  2. Stir in heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and seasonings. Let it simmer until thickened.
Combining Ingredients
  1. Toss the cooked rigatoni into the skillet with the sausage and sauce. Stir until well coated.
Serving
  1. Divide the pasta among plates and garnish with fresh parsley and additional cheese, if desired.

Notes

Don't overcook the pasta; it will continue to cook in the sauce. Use quality Italian sausage for the best flavor. Fresh herbs like parsley or basil enhance the dish's freshness.