Description
This Rigatoni with Italian Sausage and Cream Sauce is a hearty and flavorful dish perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1–1/2 cups uncooked rigatoni
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 pound mild Italian chicken sausage
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3–4 garlic cloves, finely minced or grated
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/8 teaspoon fennel seeds
- 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 14-ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 1 14-ounce can diced tomatoes
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar (optional)
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and add the rigatoni. Cook the rigatoni for about 12 minutes or according to the directions on the package. When the noodles are done, drain them and set aside. No need to rinse the noodles.
- Heat oil in a large Dutch oven. Add the sausage to the pan (be sure to remove the outer casing first) and break the links up into small pieces (like hamburger) with a wooden spoon or spatula. Cook over medium-low heat for 7-10 minutes. Transfer the meat to a bowl and set aside.
- Add more oil to the pot if needed, then stir in the onions to the same pot that you cooked the sausage in and sauté over low heat for about 5-7 minutes or until golden and soft. Add the garlic and sauté for another 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in the seasoning.
- Return the cooked meat back to the pot (juice and all) and stir. Add in the crushed tomatoes and chopped tomatoes including juice. Stir in the sugar.
- Simmer the sauce for about 15-20 minutes. Add the cream the last few minutes of simmering.
- Add 1 to 1-1/2 cups of the cooked pasta to the sauce and stir.
- Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves.
Notes
- Feel free to adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes to your desired heat level.
- The sugar is optional, but it helps balance the acidity of the tomatoes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 85mg