Description
Creamy Sausage Rigatoni with Spinach Garlic and Tomato Cream Sauce is a hearty and flavorful pasta dish featuring Italian sausage simmered in a rich tomato cream sauce with fresh spinach and garlic. This comforting meal combines tender rigatoni pasta with a luscious blend of heavy cream, chicken broth, cherry tomatoes, and savory seasonings, finished with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil garnish.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz (340g) rigatoni pasta
Sausage and Sauce
- 1 lb (450g) Italian sausage (mild or spicy, based on preference)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 5 oz (140g) fresh spinach
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Begin by cooking the rigatoni pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Brown Sausage: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sausage, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks, until browned and cooked through. Remove the sausage with a slotted spoon and set it aside, leaving the oil and any rendered fat in the skillet.
- Sauté Garlic and Onion: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and chopped onion. Sauté until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
- Cook Tomatoes: Add the cherry tomatoes to the skillet, cooking until they start to soften and release their juices, roughly 3 minutes.
- Make the Cream Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine. Add the Italian seasoning, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Let the sauce simmer for about 5 minutes to thicken slightly.
- Add Spinach: Add the fresh spinach to the skillet, stirring until it wilts into the sauce.
- Return Sausage to Sauce: Return the cooked sausage to the skillet, ensuring it’s evenly distributed throughout the sauce.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked rigatoni pasta to the skillet, tossing everything together to coat the pasta with the creamy sauce.
- Add Parmesan Cheese: Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese over the mixture, stirring to melt and integrate the cheese into the sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with fresh basil, if desired, before serving.
Notes
- For a spicier dish, use spicy Italian sausage instead of mild.
- You can substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth for a slightly different flavor.
- Use fresh Parmesan cheese for best flavor and melting quality.
- If you prefer a lighter sauce, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream, but the sauce will be less rich.
- Make sure not to overcook the spinach to maintain its vibrant color and nutrients.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
