Hearty Creamy Sausage Rigatoni Recipe: A Cozy Homestyle Dinner

Bubbling with rich flavors and comforting warmth, this creamy sausage rigatoni recipe promises a delightful pasta experience that satisfies every taste bud.

Savory Italian sausage melds beautifully with a silky, luxurious sauce that coats each perfectly al dente rigatoni noodle.

The robust meat brings incredible depth and complexity to every single bite.

Aromatic herbs and a touch of parmesan cheese enhance the dish’s rustic charm and create an irresistible aroma that fills the kitchen.

Weeknight dinners just got a serious upgrade with this simple yet impressive meal.

Comfort and elegance merge seamlessly in this hearty pasta that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort.

Get ready to savor each creamy, sausage-packed forkful and elevate your dinner game.

Steps to Make Honey Hot Chicken Salad

• Rigatoni: Thick, ridged tubes perfect for catching rich, creamy sauce, choose high-quality pasta for best texture and flavor.
• Chicken Broth: Adds depth and moisture to the dish, helps create a silky cooking environment for pasta.

• Italian Sausage: Delivers robust, spicy flavor and hearty protein, select fresh sausage with high meat content for maximum taste.
• Garlic: Provides intense, aromatic base that elevates the entire dish's flavor profile, use fresh cloves for most vibrant taste.

• Heavy Cream: Creates luxurious, velvety texture that binds ingredients together, select high-fat content cream for richness.
• Tomato Sauce: Adds tangy sweetness and vibrant color, choose authentic marinara for authentic Italian character.
• Italian Seasoning: Blends herbs that infuse classic Mediterranean flavor, freshly dried mix recommended for maximum potency.
• Salt and Black Pepper: Essential flavor enhancers that balance and intensify overall dish taste.

• Fresh Spinach: Introduces bright green color and nutritional boost, choose crisp, dark leaves for best quality.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Adds subtle heat and exciting flavor complexity, adjust quantity based on personal spice preference.

• Olive Oil: Provides smooth cooking base and subtle fruity undertone, use extra virgin for best flavor.

Honey Hot Chicken Salad Tricks for Flavor Boost

• Large Skillet: Heavy-bottomed with high sides, perfect for sautéing sausage and cooking the entire pasta dish.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Essential for stirring sausage and mixing ingredients without scratching the skillet.
• Measuring Cups: Needed for precise amounts of chicken broth, cream, and tomato sauce.
• Measuring Spoons: Help add exact quantities of seasonings like garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
• Colander (Optional): Useful for draining excess grease from cooked sausage.
• Knife: Required for mincing garlic and chopping spinach if needed.
• Serving Bowls: For presenting the delicious creamy sausage rigatoni.

Tips for Serving Honey Hot Chicken Salad

Rustic Sausage Pasta Delight

• Sausage Sizzle Preparation

Grab a hefty skillet and warm some olive oil over medium heat. Crumble the sausage into the pan, letting it dance and brown until fully cooked. Drain away any excess fatty residue.

• One-Pot Pasta Magic

Toss rigatoni, broth, cream, garlic, and seasonings directly into the skillet with the sausage. Let everything bubble and mingle, covered, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. The pasta will absorb all those gorgeous flavors as it cooks.

• Emerald Green Touch

When pasta reaches perfect tenderness, gently fold in fresh spinach leaves. Watch them wilt and transform, adding a burst of color and nutrition to your dish.

• Flavor Finale

Pull the skillet off the heat and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and a whisper of red pepper flakes. Each bite promises a symphony of comfort and zest. Serve immediately in warm bowls, inviting friends and family to dive into this hearty meal.

How to Save Honey Hot Chicken Salad

• Cooking Tips & Variations
• Cheese Lover's Dream: Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan or pecorino romano on top for an extra burst of cheesy goodness that melts beautifully into the creamy sauce.
• Protein Power Swap: Replace Italian sausage with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based sausage for a lighter alternative that still packs tons of flavor and protein.
• Veggie Boost: Experiment by adding roasted bell peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, or mushrooms to increase nutritional value and create more depth in your one-pot wonder.
• Spice It Up: Adjust heat levels by increasing red pepper flakes for those who love a kick or using mild sausage for a more family-friendly version that everyone can enjoy.

Ways to Serve Creamy Sausage Rigatoni

• Dinner Party Delight: Serve this creamy sausage rigatoni in elegant white ceramic bowls, garnished with fresh basil leaves and extra grated parmesan cheese for a sophisticated touch.
• Cozy Comfort Meal: Pair with a crisp side salad featuring mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a light balsamic vinaigrette to balance the richness of the pasta.
• Wine Pairing Perfection: Complement the robust flavors with a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese, which cuts through the creamy sauce and enhances the sausage's spiciness.
• Quick Weeknight Hack: Prepare garlic bread or toasted ciabatta slices on the side to soak up the delicious sauce, making this meal even more satisfying and filling.

How to Store and Reheat Creamy Sausage Rigatoni

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover creamy sausage rigatoni in an airtight container within two hours of cooking. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator, maintaining maximum flavor and texture.
• Smart Reheating Technique: Warm refrigerated pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth to restore creamy consistency. Stir gently to prevent pasta from becoming dry or sticky. Microwave option works well with 30-second intervals, stirring between each cycle.
• Freezer-Friendly Approach: Freeze portions in sealed freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Separate pasta from additional toppings like fresh spinach to prevent soggy texture during thawing. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
• Meal Prep Hack: Prepare extra sausage and pasta mixture during initial cooking. Portion into individual containers for quick weeknight dinners or lunch options. Adds convenience and reduces daily cooking time while ensuring delicious, ready-to-eat meals.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 20-25 minutes

Total Time: 25-30 minutes

Calories: 711 kcal

Servings: 5

Irresistible Sausage Rigatoni Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 25-30 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Hearty Italian rigatoni with sausage delivers bold flavors from Tuscany’s rustic kitchens. Savory pasta promises comfort and satisfaction for hungry diners seeking authentic Mediterranean cuisine.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 15 oz (425 g) Italian sausage, crumbled
• 8 oz (226 g) rigatoni, uncooked
• 5 oz (142 g) fresh spinach
• 15 oz (425 g) tomato sauce
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning or herbs de provence
• Salt, to taste
• Coarsely ground black pepper, to taste
• Red pepper flakes, to taste

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preparation: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, creating a flavorful foundation for the dish.
2. Sausage Integration: Crumble Italian sausage into the hot oil, browning thoroughly and developing deep, rich flavors while stirring occasionally.
3. Pasta Fusion: Combine rigatoni, chicken broth, heavy cream, garlic, Italian seasoning, and tomato sauce with the cooked sausage in the same skillet.
4. Cooking Process: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer covered, allowing ingredients to meld and pasta to tenderize for 12 minutes, stirring periodically to prevent sticking.
5. Final Touches: Incorporate fresh spinach leaves, folding gently until wilted and creating a vibrant, creamy texture; season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes to enhance the overall taste profile.
6. Serving: Transfer the aromatic, steaming pasta into serving bowls, presenting a comforting and robust meal ready to be enjoyed immediately.

Notes

• Sausage Selection: Choose high-quality Italian sausage for maximum flavor depth and authentic taste profile.
• Fat Management: Drain excess sausage grease to prevent dish from becoming overly greasy while retaining rich meat fragments.
• Pasta Precision: Cook rigatoni directly in the sauce for enhanced flavor absorption and perfectly tender texture.
• Seasoning Strategy: Taste and adjust seasonings at the end to personalize heat level and salt balance, ensuring a perfectly customized dish.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 711
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 1000 mg
• Fat: 51 g
• Saturated Fat: 20 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 25 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 23 g
• Cholesterol: 135 mg