Creamy Sausage Rigatoni Pasta (Print-Friendly Version)

Indulge in tender rigatoni with savory sausage, luscious cream, tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese.

# Ingredients You’ll Need:

→ Main Ingredients

01 - 12 ounces rigatoni pasta
02 - 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
03 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
04 - 0.5 medium yellow onion, chopped
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 can (14 ounces) crushed tomatoes
07 - 0.5 cup heavy whipping cream
08 - 0.5 teaspoon Italian seasoning
09 - 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes
10 - Kosher salt, to taste
11 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
12 - 0.25 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for garnish

# How to Make It:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook for 4 to 5 minutes until softened.
02 - Add Italian sausage to the skillet, breaking it into small pieces. Sauté until cooked through and no longer pink, around 6 to 8 minutes.
03 - Stir in minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
04 - Pour in crushed tomatoes and stir to combine. Allow the sauce to simmer for 5 minutes so flavors can meld.
05 - Lower heat to a gentle simmer. Pour in heavy cream and stir until the sauce is creamy and slightly thickened. If needed, add a splash of reserved pasta water to reach desired consistency.
06 - Fold in cooked rigatoni and Parmesan cheese. Gently toss until pasta is evenly coated and sauce is creamy.
07 - Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve hot, garnished with additional Parmesan and chopped fresh basil or parsley if desired.

# Extra Suggestions:

01 - Reserve a small amount of pasta cooking water to adjust the sauce texture if needed.