Italian Sausage Rigatoni with Spicy Tomato Cream Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 ozrigatoni
- 12 ozitalian sausage
- 1 tbspolive oil
- 4 ozpancetta
cubed
- ½ mediumonion
diced
- 3 clovesgarlic
minced
- ½ tspcrushed red pepper
- ¼ cwhite wine
or stock of your choice
- 14.5 ozfire-roasted tomatoes)
(1 can
- 1 cheavy cream
- 2 cfresh baby spinach
- ½ tspkosher salt
- ½ tspfresh ground pepper
- ⅓ cgrated parmesan cheese
Directions
- 1
Bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt the water. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions. While the pasta is cooking begin the sauce.
- 2
In a large sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Brown the Italian sausage and pancetta. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate, set aside.
- 3
Add the onion, saute until translucent. Add the garlic and saute another minute.
- 4
Add the wine and fire-roasted tomatoes, simmer and reduce the liquid by half.
- 5
Lower the heat, stir in the cream, spinach, salt, pepper, crushed red peppers, Italian sausage, and pancetta. Simmer until the cream is heated and the spinach is wilted. Add the Parmesan cheese and simmer until the sauce has thickened slightly.
- 6
Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- 7
Drain the pasta, pour the sauce over and stir to coat evenly.
- 8
Serve immediately.
Italian Sausage Rigatoni with Spicy Tomato Cream Sauce Recipe
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About this Recipe
Craving a hearty, satisfying pasta dinner that feels indulgent yet comes together in a flash? This Italian Sausage Rigatoni with Spicy Tomato Cream Sauce is your answer, delivering robust flavors and comforting textures perfect for any night of the week.
Why This Recipe Works
This recipe shines by combining tender rigatoni with the savory richness of Italian sausage and pancetta, all enveloped in a vibrant, slightly spicy tomato cream sauce. The genius lies in how these powerful ingredients harmonize to create a deeply flavorful meal that’s both easy to prepare and incredibly delicious, making it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
What to Expect
Prepare for a truly comforting experience with every bite. You'll enjoy the substantial chew of rigatoni, perfectly complemented by the crumbled, well-seasoned Italian sausage and crispy bits of pancetta. The spicy tomato cream sauce, brightened by fire-roasted tomatoes and a hint of white wine, coats everything beautifully, offering a luxurious texture and a gentle warmth from the crushed red pepper. Finishing with fresh baby spinach adds a welcome touch of freshness and color, balancing the richness of the dish. It’s a dish that feels like it’s been simmering all day, but is surprisingly quick to make.
Customization & Variations
Feel free to make this dish your own. If you prefer less heat, simply reduce or omit the crushed red pepper. For a leaner option, you could swap some or all of the Italian sausage for ground chicken or turkey, adjusting seasonings as needed. If pancetta isn't available, crispy bacon bits can work in a pinch. Don't have white wine? The recipe already suggests using stock of your choice for a fantastic result. You can also add more vegetables like sautéed bell peppers or mushrooms alongside the onion.
Serving & Context
This robust rigatoni dish is ideal for a comforting family dinner or a cozy gathering with friends. Serve it simply with a side of crusty bread to sop up every last bit of the incredible sauce, and perhaps a light green salad to complete the meal.