Description
This rich and creamy sausage rigatoni is the perfect comfort food for any occasion. The savory Italian sausage, hearty rigatoni pasta, and creamy sauce come together in one skillet for a deliciously satisfying meal. It’s an easy dish to make, packed with flavor, and sure to please everyone at the table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 15 oz Italian sausage (crumbled)
- 8 oz rigatoni (uncooked)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (or Herbs de Provence)
- 15 oz tomato sauce
- 5 oz fresh spinach
- Salt and coarsely ground black pepper (to taste)
- Red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
Instructions
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Cook the Sausage:
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the crumbled Italian sausage and cook for about 5 minutes, until browned and cooked through. Break the sausage into smaller pieces as it cooks. Drain any excess grease.
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Combine Key Ingredients:
- Add the uncooked rigatoni, chicken broth, heavy cream, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and tomato sauce to the skillet. Mix well.
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Simmer and Cook:
- Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat. Stir occasionally. Cover and let cook for 10 to 15 minutes, until the pasta is al dente.
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Incorporate Spinach:
- Add the fresh spinach. Stir for a few minutes until wilted or remove from heat, cover, and let sit for 4 minutes.
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Adjust the Consistency:
- For a thicker sauce, cook uncovered for a couple of minutes. Stir occasionally.
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Season and Serve:
- Remove from heat. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if desired).
Notes
- Pasta Choice: Use rigatoni, penne, or ziti. Avoid long pastas.
- Customizing Heat: Use hot Italian sausage and red pepper flakes for a spicier dish or sweet Italian sausage for a milder version.
- Vegetarian Option: Replace sausage with sautéed mushrooms or plant-based sausage for a vegetarian version.
- Make It Cheesier: Add Parmesan or Pecorino Romano before serving.
- Thicker Sauce: Reduce chicken broth or simmer uncovered longer.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: Creamy sausage pasta, rigatoni, Italian sausage pasta, creamy pasta dish, one-skillet pasta, comfort food, pasta with spinach