Description
The Best Creamy Sausage Rigatoni is a one-pan wonder that comes together in just 30 minutes. This creamy, flavor-packed pasta dish is perfect for hectic weeknights.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound Italian sausage (sweet or spicy, crumbled)
- 8 ounce rigatoni pasta (uncooked)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 15 ounce tomato sauce (or marinara)
- 5 ounce fresh spinach
- Salt and coarsely ground black pepper (to taste)
- Red pepper flakes (optional, for a spicy kick)
Instructions
1. In a large, high-sided skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the crumbled sausage and cook for about 5 minutes, breaking it into smaller pieces as it browns. Drain any excess grease to keep the sauce light and creamy.
2. To the same skillet, add the uncooked rigatoni, chicken broth, heavy cream, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and tomato sauce. Stir well to combine and coat the pasta.
3. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Cover the skillet with a lid and simmer for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is cooked al dente and has absorbed the creamy tomato flavors.
4. Add the fresh spinach to the skillet and stir until wilted. Alternatively, turn off the heat, cover, and let the residual heat wilt the spinach for about 4 minutes.
5. If you’d like a thicker sauce, let the dish simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste.
6. Dish it up hot, optionally garnished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and enjoy a cozy, satisfying meal!
Notes
To make this dish even more nutritious, you can opt for turkey or chicken sausage instead of pork, use low-fat milk or Greek yogurt in place of some of the heavy cream, and incorporate additional vegetables like mushrooms or bell peppers.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 100mg