Easy Sausage Rigatoni with Creamy Sauce

This Easy Sausage Rigatoni with Creamy Sauce is ready in just 30 minutes and is a weeknight favorite! Savory Italian sausage is cooked to golden perfection, then tossed in a rich cream sauce with hints of garlic and herbs. Perfect for family dinners or a cozy date night!

If you like this recipe you might like my creamy mushroom pappardelle or my rigatoni alla vodka.

This article contains affiliate links which supports us at no extra cost to you.

Rigatoni with Sausage and Cream is a deliciously comforting dish that combines tender pasta with flavorful Italian sausage in a rich, velvety sauce. This sausage rigatoni recipe can be made with either spicy Italian sausage for a kick of heat or sweet Italian sausage for a milder flavor, letting you customize the level of spice.

My chef husband happened to make the most incredible homemade sausage, and that's what I used for this pasta.

Adding in some crushed red pepper flakes and a dash of ground black pepper goes great with the sausage, creating a perfect balance of heat and creaminess. Topped with freshly grated Parmigiano cheese, this creamy sausage rigatoni feels indulgent yet is easy enough for a weeknight meal.

The creamy sauce for this Italian sausage pasta is simple yet flavorful, made by combining cream and seasonings, allowing the flavors of the sausage rigatoni pasta to shine through.

The grated Parmigiano cheese melts into the sauce, adding depth and a savory finish. With just a few ingredients and minimal prep, this easy sausage rigatoni comes together quickly, making it ideal for busy nights or casual gatherings with friends.

This pasta is rich and perfect for a cozy winter's evening in. It smells incredible while it's simmering away and is absolutely delicious!

💖Why we love rigatoni and sausage

• Perfect for Leftovers: This dish reheats beautifully, making it great for meal prep.
• Customizable Heat: Use spicy Italian sausage and red pepper flakes for extra spice or go with sweet Italian sausage for a mild option.
• Rich, Creamy Sauce: The combination of cream and freshly grated Parmesan makes for an irresistibly creamy sauce.
• Quick and Easy: This recipe is perfect for a quick, flavorful weeknight meal.
• Savory and Satisfying: The sausage and pasta create a hearty, filling dish.

🍽️ How to make easy sausage rigatoni

Here is how to make this pasta recipe (the full recipe is below!):

• Step 1: Heat the oil in the skillet medium heat.
• Step 2: Remove the sausage from the casing and add to the pan. Use your wooden spoon to break up the sausage and stir it.

• Step 3: Cook until the sausage gets a little color and is no longer pink and remove with a slotted spoon to a plate.
• Step 4: Leave all but 1 tablespoon of the fat. Add in the onions and begin to cook for 1-2 minutes. Add in the garlic.  Cook until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.

• Step 5: Stir in the tomatoes and season with salt and pepper. Let simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally while it simmers.

• Step 6: Add in the cream and stir to combine.
• Step 7: Stir back in the sausage and let simmer a few minutes.

• Step 8: While the sauce is simmering, cook the pasta in a large pot of salted water.
• Step 9: When the pasta is almost ready, stir in the spinach. It takes only a minute to cook up.

• Step 10: Reserve a 1/4 cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the pasta toss with the sauce. If needed, add a bit of the starchy pasta water and stir to combine. Serve with grated Parmigiano cheese..

How to cook pasta

• Use a big pot: Very important to cook the pasta in a large enough pot with enough water. Pasta does expand while it cooks. For every 3.5 ounces of pasta, you'll need 4 cups of water. Stir the pasta as soon as you add it to the boiling water. If you don't, it will stick to the bottom of the pot.
• Generously salt the water: As soon as the water starts to boil, add in 1.5 tablespoons of salt. If you use less than that, the pasta will be very bland.
• Keep stirring: Keep close by the boiling pasta and stir it frequently. The water could boil over if you walk away and don't stir it. It has to stay at a rolling boil. Do not simmer the pasta, as it won't cook up.
• Reserve pasta water: Before you drain the pasta, keep some of the starchy pasta water. Do not rinse the pasta in cold water. The pasta gets added immediately to the pan with the creamy sausage sauce. If it thickened to much, you could thin out the sauce with a little small portion of the reserved starchy pasta water.

What to serve with Italian sausage pasta

This creamy rigatoni sausage pasta is total comfort food and it goes really nicely with any roasted vegetable, side dish, pasta, or bread.

• Insalata mista >>> A quick and simple Italian salad goes really great with this pasta.
• Cucumber salad >>> A crisp and fresh salad that goes nicely with the creamy pasta.
• Panzanella Toscana >>> A delicious Tuscan salad that is very easy to make!
• Crusty bread >>> I always recommend some really great bread to sop up all the sauce (fare la scarpetta)! Or this super easy psomi spitiko Greek bread.
• Rosemary breadsticks >>>Crunchy rosemary breadsticks are always nice!
• Garlic bread >>>The easiest and most tasty garlic bread!
• To stay low-carb, you could serve the sauce nicely with zucchini or butternut squash noodles instead of pasta.

🫙 Leftover and Storing rigatoni with sausage recipes

• Refrigerate: Once the pasta completely cools down, place in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
• Freeze: When pasta cools down, transfer to a freezer safe airtight container. You can freeze the pasta for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating on the stovetop.

📃 Substitutions & Variations for easy pasta recipes with sausage

Protein Variations:

• Ground Turkey or Chicken: For a leaner option, use ground turkey or chicken in place of sausage. Add red pepper flakes and Italian seasonings to mimic the flavors of spicy sausage.
• Vegetarian Option: Substitute the sausage with sliced mushrooms, spinach, or a plant-based sausage alternative. These options add a savory element without the meat.

Spice and Seasoning:

• Extra Spicy: Use spicy Italian sausage and increase the red pepper flakes for a bold, spicy sausage rigatoni.
• Herb-Focused: Add fresh herbs like basil, parsley, or thyme for extra flavor. These work well with sweet Italian sausage for a more herbaceous profile.

Cream Substitutes:

• Greek Yogurt or Ricotta: For a lighter cream sauce, replace some or all of the cream with Greek yogurt or ricotta. These will still give you a creamy texture with less fat.
• Coconut Cream: For a dairy-free option, coconut cream adds richness while keeping it lactose-free. Its flavor works best with additional spices to balance out the coconut notes.

Pasta Alternatives:

• Penne or Fusilli: Substitute rigatoni with penne or fusilli if you don’t have rigatoni on hand; these shapes also hold sauce well.
• Gluten-Free Pasta: Use a gluten-free pasta to make the dish gluten-free without compromising on taste or texture.

Cheese Substitutions:

• Pecorino Romano: Swap grated Parmesan cheese for Pecorino Romano for a sharper, saltier flavor.
• Mozzarella: For extra creaminess, add a handful of shredded mozzarella into the sauce for a smooth, melty texture.

Vegetable Add-Ins:

• Spinach or Kale: Stir in fresh spinach or kale at the end of cooking for a nutritious boost.
• Roasted Red Peppers: For an added layer of flavor, toss in roasted red peppers with the sausage.

❓ FAQ'S

Did you make this? Please RATE THE RECIPE below:)

Please Subscribe and give a follow on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and TikTok xx

📖 Recipe

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe

5 from 3 votes

Easy Sausage Rigatoni with Creamy Sauce

This Easy Sausage Rigatoni with Creamy Sauce is ready in just 30 minutes weeknight favorite! Savory Italian sausage is cooked to golden perfection, then tossed in a rich Parmigiano cream sauce with hints of garlic and herbs. is tossed in a rich Parmesan cream sauce with tender pasta. Comforting, simple, and full of Italian flavor—perfect for family dinners or a cozy date night!

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time25 minutes mins

Total Time30 minutes mins

Course: Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: cream sauce, easy pasta recipe

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 448kcal

Author: Lora

Equipment

• 1 Large skillet
• 1 large pot
• 1 collander

Ingredients

• 1 pound rigatoni
• 1 Tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 ½ pounds mild or hot Italian sausage casings removed
• 1 small onion chopped (I used Sweet onion, or use Vidalia, white, or a shallot)
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• ⅓ cup dry white wine use a wine that you would drink
• 15 oz can crushed tomatoes from a 15-ounce can
• 24 ounces tomato passata
• ½ teaspoon sea salt add more to taste
• ½ teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper
• crushed red pepper flakes optional (add to taste)
• ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1 cup cream use heavy or light cream
• 5 oz fresh spinach
• Parmigiano Reggiano grated (for serving)

Instructions

• Heat oil: Heat the oil in the skillet medium heat.
• Cook the sausage: Remove the sausage from the casing and add to the pan. Use your wooden spoon to break up the sausage and stir it.
• Cook almost all the way through: Cook until the sausage gets a little color and is no longer pink and remove with a slotted spoon to a plate.
• Add onions and garlic: Leave all but 1 tablespoon of the fat. Add in the onions and begin to cook for 1-2 minutes. Add in the garlic.  Cook until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.
• Add tomatoes: Stir in the tomatoes and season with salt and pepper. If you like it spicy, add in some crushed red pepper. Let simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally while it simmers.
• Add the cream: Add in the cream and stir to combine.
• Add sausage: Stir back in the sausage and let simmer a few minutes.
• Add cream: Add in the cream and stir to combine.
• Let simmer: Stir back in the sausage and let simmer a few minutes.
• Combine pasta with the sauce: Reserve a ¼ cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the pasta and toss with the sauce in the skillet on medium heat. If needed, add a bit of the starchy pasta water and stir to combine.
• Plate up and serve: Serve with grated Parmigiano cheese and hot pepper flakes, if you like. ENJOY! Buon appetito!

Nutrition Disclaimer

Please keep in mind that the nutritional information presented below is an approximation and may vary depending on the exact ingredients used.

Notes

• Pasta: Use a short pasta like rigatoni, penne, or farfalle. I really like this sauce with rigatoni. 
• Sausage: I was lucky to have some homemade sausage that my husband made. You could use mild or hot sausage (or even a combination of the two). 
• Tomatoes: Use a all crushed tomatoes, plum tomatoes, or a combination of crushed and tomato passata like I did. The quality of the tomatoes will make a difference in the taste of the sauce.
• Cream: You could use heavy, light, half-and-half, or even coconut cream for dairy free. 
• Salt: Season the sauce with a bit of sea salt. Keep in mind the sausage will be a little salty, so you may not much salt. 
• Cheese: I like to use only Parmigiano-Reggiano, not Parmesan cheese. You could also use Grana Padano or pecorino cheese. 

Nutrition

Calories: 448kcal | Carbohydrates: 58g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 45mg | Sodium: 210mg | Potassium: 220mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 583IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 45mg | Iron: 1mg

Tried this recipe?Mention @savoringitaly or tag #savoringitaly!