Description
A deliciously spicy rigatoni pasta dish featuring savory ground Italian sausage simmered in a creamy tomato sauce, enriched with Parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes for heat, and fresh parsley for a bright finish. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1/2 lb. Rigatoni
Protein
- 1/2 lb. Ground Italian Sausage
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 cup Red Onion, chopped
- 3 Garlic Cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp Fresh Parsley, chopped
Sauce
- 1/3 cup Tomato Paste
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese, grated
- 1-2 tsp Red Pepper Flakes
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1 tbsp Butter
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
Instructions
- Cook the sausage: Brown the ground Italian sausage in a large skillet over medium heat until fully cooked and no longer pink inside. Transfer cooked sausage to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease. Wipe the skillet clean with paper towels to remove any residual grease.
- Cook the rigatoni: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rigatoni pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the sauce base: In the same large skillet, add butter and olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the chopped red onions and cook until softened and translucent, about 4-5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and sauté for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Add tomato paste and seasonings: Stir in the tomato paste, salt, and chopped fresh parsley. Cook for 2 minutes to deepen the tomato flavor.
- Make the creamy sauce: Slowly whisk in the heavy cream to the tomato mixture until fully blended and smooth. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes (1-2 teaspoons depending on your preferred spice level) until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens slightly.
- Combine pasta, sausage, and sauce: Return the browned sausage and cooked rigatoni to the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything gently to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce and to warm the sausage through.
- Serve: Plate the rigatoni and garnish with additional fresh parsley and sprinkle extra Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy your spicy sausage rigatoni!
Notes
- This dish pairs well with a simple green salad and a crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
- You can adjust the spiciness by varying the amount of red pepper flakes to suit your taste.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a dairy-free alternative.
- Make sure to drain the cooked sausage well to avoid a greasy sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 753 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 1131 mg
- Fat: 50 g
- Saturated Fat: 25 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 23 g
- Cholesterol: 126 mg
