Creamy Sausage Rigatoni (One-Pan, 30-Minute Meal)
Ingredients
- 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 from Provence
- 15 oz tomato sauce
such as tomato pasta sauce or marinara
- 5 oz fresh spinach
- to tastesalt and coarsely ground black pepper
- to tastered pepper flakes
Directions
- 1
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil on medium heat in a large, high-sided, heavy-bottomed skillet on the stovetop.
- 2
Add crumbled sausage and cook on medium heat for about 5 minutes, crumbling it, until it is cooked through. Drain any grease or liquid.
- 3
To the same skillet with sausage, add uncooked rigatoni, chicken broth, heavy cream, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and tomato sauce.
- 4
Bring to a boil on medium heat and stir everything well. Cover with a lid, and allow the pasta to cook for about 10 to 15 minutes on medium heat, while the sauce boils.
- 5
Cook until pasta reaches an "al dente" texture. Stir frequently to prevent pasta and sausage from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- 6
Add fresh spinach, and cook on medium heat, stirring frequently for a couple of minutes, until the spinach wilts to your liking.
- 7
Alternatively, just remove the skillet from heat, top sausage rigatoni with spinach, cover the pan with the lid. Let the spinach wilt, off heat, in the residual heat in a covered skillet for about 4 minutes. Then, stir.
- 8
Cook longer if you would like a thicker sauce.
- 9
Mix everything well. Remove from heat. Season with salt, freshly ground coarse black pepper, and red pepper flakes if you like.
- 10
Tip: use your best judgment about the salt. If the sausage is salty enough, you might not need to add any extra salt.
- 11
Note: I provide very helpful step-by-step photos for this recipe above the recipe card. Scroll up if you would like to see the photos that visually explain this recipe.
Creamy Sausage Rigatoni (One-Pan, 30-Minute Meal)
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Based on 703 ratings
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About this Recipe
Tired of weeknight cooking that leaves you with a sink full of dishes? Imagine a restaurant-quality comfort food meal, complete with tender rigatoni and savory Italian sausage, all ready in just 30 minutes and cooked in a single pan. This Creamy Sausage Rigatoni is your answer to a delicious, fuss-free dinner.
This recipe shines by simplifying the entire process. Everything—from browning the crumbled Italian sausage to simmering the rich, creamy tomato sauce with the rigatoni—happens in one pot on your stove. This integrated cooking method means fewer dishes and allows all the flavors to meld beautifully, creating a deeply satisfying dish.
When you sit down to this Creamy Sausage Rigatoni, you'll discover a dish that feels both hearty and luxurious. The savory Italian sausage provides a robust foundation, perfectly complemented by a velvety tomato sauce enriched with heavy cream. Each piece of rigatoni will be perfectly coated, offering a satisfying chew, while the fresh spinach adds a subtle earthiness and vibrant color. A touch of garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes creates a complex flavor profile that will delight your palate.
Customization & Serving Ideas
Feel free to adjust the heat level to your preference by adding more red pepper flakes for an extra kick. If you're looking for a different aromatic twist, Herbs from Provence can be used as a delicious alternative to Italian seasoning. You could also experiment with different types of Italian sausage, such as a spicy variety, to change up the flavor.
This comforting one-pan meal is ideal for busy weeknights when you crave something satisfying without the usual effort. Serve it as a stand-alone dish, or complement it with a simple green salad and crusty bread to soak up every last bit of the creamy sauce.