Description
This creamy rigatoni pasta recipe combines al dente rigatoni with a flavorful Italian sausage tomato sauce enriched with heavy cream and fresh basil. It’s a comforting and hearty dish perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner or special occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein & Dairy
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- Shredded Parmesan for garnish
Pasta & Liquids
- 12 ounces rigatoni pasta
- 1/2 cup pasta water (reserved from cooking pasta)
Vegetables & Herbs
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh chopped basil, plus more for garnish
Pantry Essentials & Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water and set aside. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic and Seasonings: In a large sauté pan, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-low heat. Add minced garlic and 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, stirring constantly for 30 to 60 seconds to release flavors without burning the garlic.
- Cook the Sausage: Increase heat to medium-high and add the ground Italian sausage to the pan. Use a spatula to crumble the meat and cook until browned and fully cooked through.
- Make the Sauce: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, heavy cream, and fresh chopped basil. Season with kosher salt and black pepper to taste. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for a few minutes until heated through and flavors meld.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked rigatoni to the sauce along with a splash of the reserved pasta water. Toss everything together thoroughly to coat the pasta evenly in the creamy tomato sausage sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Plate the pasta and garnish generously with additional fresh basil and shredded Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately and enjoy!
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Notes
- Reserve pasta water to help loosen the sauce if it becomes too thick.
- Use mild or spicy Italian sausage depending on your heat preference.
- Fresh basil adds bright flavor—don’t skip it.
- For a lighter option, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or evaporated milk.
- Garnish with extra Parmesan for a richer taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: rigatoni pasta recipe, Italian sausage pasta, creamy pasta sauce, weeknight dinner, Italian comfort food
