Description
This Rigatoni Pasta recipe features perfectly cooked rigatoni tossed in a creamy, flavorful sauce made with Italian sausage, garlic, crushed tomatoes, and fresh basil. Finished with a touch of heavy cream and garnished with Parmesan cheese, this comforting dish is perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
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 package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
- Sauté Garlic and Seasoning: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium-low heat. Add minced garlic and Italian seasoning, stirring constantly for 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to let the garlic brown or burn.
- Cook Sausage: Increase the heat to medium-high and add the ground Italian sausage to the pan. Cook while crumbling the sausage with a spatula until fully browned and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Add Tomatoes and Cream: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, heavy cream, chopped basil, kosher salt, and black pepper. Cook the sauce for a few minutes until it is warmed through and flavors meld together.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked rigatoni to the sauce along with a splash of reserved pasta water. Toss everything together to coat the pasta evenly with the creamy sausage tomato sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Serve the pasta hot, garnished with additional fresh basil leaves and shredded Parmesan cheese. Enjoy your delicious rigatoni pasta!
- Optional Feedback: If you loved this recipe, please leave a 5-star rating and review to share your feedback!
Notes
- Make sure not to brown or burn the garlic when sautéing as it can become bitter.
- Reserve some pasta water to help loosen the sauce and help it adhere better to the pasta.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner sausage option if preferred.
- Use fresh Italian seasoning or a blend of dried oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary for best flavor.
- Leftovers store well refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of water or cream.
- For a spicier kick, add red pepper flakes when cooking the garlic and Italian seasoning.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: rigatoni pasta recipe, Italian sausage pasta, creamy tomato pasta, easy pasta dinner, weeknight meal
