Description
Spicy Sausage Rigatoni is a delicious Italian-inspired pasta dish featuring rigatoni tossed in a rich, creamy tomato sauce with browned Italian sausage, red onion, garlic, and a kick of red pepper flakes. Finished with parmesan cheese and fresh parsley, this flavorful meal is perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1/2 lb. Rigatoni
Sausage and Sauce
- 1/2 lb. Ground Italian Sausage
- 1 cup Red Onion, chopped
- 3 Garlic Cloves, minced
- 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
- 2 tbsp Fresh Parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Brown the Sausage: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and brown the ground Italian sausage until fully cooked and no longer pink. Transfer the cooked sausage to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease. Wipe out the skillet with paper towels to remove remaining grease.
- Cook the Rigatoni: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni and cook according to package directions until al dente, usually about 10-12 minutes. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Prepare the Sauce: In the same large skillet, add butter and olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the chopped red onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Combine Sauce Ingredients: Stir in the tomato paste, salt, and fresh parsley until well combined. Slowly whisk in the heavy cream to form a smooth sauce. Mix in the grated parmesan cheese and add 1-2 teaspoons of red pepper flakes depending on your heat preference.
- Mix Pasta and Sausage: Add the browned sausage and drained rigatoni to the skillet with the sauce. Stir well to coat the pasta evenly with the creamy tomato sauce.
- Serve: Garnish with additional fresh parsley and parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy your flavorful Spicy Sausage Rigatoni.
Notes
- This dish combines spicy Italian sausage with a creamy tomato sauce for a perfect balance of heat and richness.
- Adjust the red pepper flakes to your preferred spice level from mild to quite spicy.
- For a lighter version, reduce the heavy cream or substitute with half-and-half.
- Fresh parsley adds brightness but can be omitted or substituted with basil if preferred.
- Parmesan cheese can be added more liberally as a topping for extra flavor.
- Ensure to cook the pasta al dente to maintain texture when combined with 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
