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Creamy Italian Sausage Rigatoni

This one-pot creamy Italian sausage rigatoni is a comforting and flavorful dish that will make you daydream about dinner.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 650
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Sauce
  • 2 Tablespoons Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1 large Onion (diced)
  • 4 Cloves Garlic (minced)
  • 1.5 lbs. Italian Sausage may use 1 lb. if you want less sausage
  • 2 28-ounce cans Whole or Crushed Tomatoes
  • 0.25 cup Fresh Basil (chopped) or 1 Tablespoon dried basil
  • 0.25 cup Fresh Oregano (chopped) or 1 Tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon Red Chili Flakes
  • 2 teaspoons Salt
  • 1 teaspoon Pepper
  • 1.5 cups Heavy Cream
  • 1.5 cups Grated Parmesan Cheese
  • 1 lb. Rigatoni Pasta

Method
 

Cook the Sausage and Vegetables
  1. Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add olive oil and then the diced onion. Cook for 7-8 minutes until the onion is soft.
  2. Stir in the minced garlic and Italian sausage. Cook for another 7-8 minutes until the sausage begins to brown.
Cook the Pasta
  1. While the sausage is sizzling, fill a separate pot with water and bring it to a boil over high heat. Add a generous amount of salt to the water.
  2. Add the rigatoni and cook according to package instructions (usually around 9-11 minutes for al dente).
Prepare the Sauce
  1. Add the canned tomatoes to the sausage mixture. If using whole tomatoes, blend them until smooth.
  2. Stir in the fresh basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Let it come to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer for 5-7 minutes.
Make It Creamy
  1. Add heavy cream and 1 cup of Parmesan cheese to the sauce. Stir well and let simmer on medium-low for another 5-7 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.
Combine Pasta and Sauce
  1. Drain the rigatoni and toss it into the sauce, stirring well to coat each piece. If you’re feeling adventurous and want a thicker sauce, let it simmer for an additional 10 minutes.
Serve
  1. Plate up your pasta and garnish with the remaining 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese and fresh basil. Dive in and enjoy the mouthwatering flavors!

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container for about 3-4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. When reheating, add a splash of cream or water to loosen it up.