Creamy Sausage Rigatoni (One-Pan, 30-Minute Meal) Recipe
This Creamy Sausage Rigatoni is a comforting one-pan Italian-inspired pasta dish featuring hearty crumbled Italian sausage, tender rigatoni, fresh spinach, and a rich, creamy tomato sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a perfect weeknight meal that combines convenience with delicious, home-cooked flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Main 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
- Salt and coarsely ground black pepper to taste
- Red pepper flakes to taste
Instructions
- Heat the Oil and Brown the Sausage: In a large skillet or deep pan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the 15 oz of crumbled Italian sausage and cook until browned and cooked through, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks.
- Add Garlic and Seasoning: Stir in 4 cloves of minced garlic and 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning (or Herbs from Provence) and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, taking care not to burn the garlic.
- Add Rigatoni and Liquids: Pour in the 8 oz of uncooked rigatoni pasta, then add 1 cup of chicken broth, 1 cup of heavy cream, and 15 oz of tomato sauce. Stir everything together to combine thoroughly.
- Simmer and Cook Pasta: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer for approximately 15-17 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rigatoni is cooked al dente and the sauce has thickened.
- Incorporate Spinach and Final Seasoning: Stir in 5 oz of fresh spinach and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the spinach wilts. Season the dish with salt, coarsely ground black pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste.
- Serve: Remove from heat and serve immediately, enjoying this creamy, savory pasta dish hot from the pan.
Notes
- Use any Italian sausage you prefer: spicy, sweet, or mild.
- For a lighter option, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, noting it may reduce creaminess.
- Feel free to add other vegetables like mushrooms or bell peppers for added nutrition.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to control the level of spiciness.
- Make sure to stir occasionally during simmering to prevent pasta from sticking to the pan.
