Name: Creamy Sausage Rigatoni Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 28 min
Ingredients: 2 Tbs Olive oil; 1 Small Onion, diced; 1 Pound Ground Sweet Italian Sausage; 4 Cloves Garlic, minced; 28 Oz can Diced Tomatoes (with the juice); Salt & Pepper to taste; 1 Tbs Italian Seasoning; 1 tbs Garlic Powder; 8 Oz Tomato Sauce; 1/4 Cup Heavy Cream; 1 pound Rigatoni, cooked in salted water (Keep a ladle of the pasta water); Fresh Basil, shredded (optional); Parmesan Cheese (optional)

Jump to Recipe

This creamy sausage rigatoni is made with crumbled Italian sausage simmered in creamy tomato sauce and served over pasta for the ultimate comfort food.

From the recipe collection of Tara Ippolito

There’s nothing that a big warm bowl of creamy sausage rigatoni can’t fix. This is the ultimate comfort food. It’s meaty, cheesy, loaded with carbs and incredibly easy to make, too. When my family is in the mood for a nice, hearty meal, this one always hits the spot.

The ingredients are simple but go together perfectly for a deliciously satisfying dinner. We rarely have leftovers but this is also great the next day, too. Try this one for the next pasta night and see how quickly it gets eaten up.

Ingredients

Heres what you'll need to make this delicious pasta. You can find the full ingredients list along with measurements and instructions on the recipe card below.

Olive Oil- Helps the sausage and vegetables brown.
Onion- Adds a subtle sweetness to the dish.
Ground Sausage- Makes this pasta hearty, filling and super flavorful
Garlic- Brings an aromatic homemade feel.
Canned Diced Tomatoes(with the juice)- Adds texture and freshness.
Tomato Sauce- Brings just the right mount of acidity
Fresh Basil- Adds a bright, fresh herby flavor
Salt & Pepper- Enhances the flavors of all the ingredients.
Italian Seasoning- The perfect blend of Italian herbs and seasonings in one place
Garlic Powder- Adds the earthy garlic flavor throughout the dish.
Rigatoni & a ladle of the pasta water- The pasta water will loosen the sauce and bring everything together while the pasta is the perfect choice for the sauce to cling on to.

How To Make It

Heres how to make this amazing creamy sausage rigatoni. You can find the full ingredients list along with instructions on the recipe card below.

First, in a large saucepan with a tall lip, heat the olive oil over medium high heat and add the chopped garlic, onion and sausage. Break the sausage down into little pieces as it cooks. Once the sausage is browned, add the diced tomatoes and tomato sauce. Season the sauce salt, pepper, garlic powder and Italian seasoning. Stir the sauce until everything is combined and let it cook for about 10 minutes over low heat.

PRO TIP: Don't stir the sausage immediately once you add it to the pan. Let it form a little crust before stirring. It will add a lot of extra flavor!

Now, stir in the heavy cream and fresh basil and continue to let it cook for another 5 minutes. Add the pasta water and rigatoni to the sauce and stir everything together until the pasta is coated in the sauce. Finally, serve warm and garnish with basil and parmesan cheese (optional).

PRO TIP: Let the heavy cream get to room temperature or place it in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to take the chill off. It will incorporate into the sauce much smoother that way.

What Sausage Should I Use?

Either sweet Italian sausage, hot Italian sausage or a combination of both can be used here.

What Should I Serve This With?

This pasta is very hearty and filling. A simple side salad or Homemade Garlic Bread would be a great choice for sides.

Storage

Let the pasta cool completely and place it into a food safe air tight container. It will last in the fridge for up to three days.