Creamy Tomato Pasta with Italian Sausage
Creamy Tomato Pasta with Italian Sausage
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 1 pound rigatoni
- 1 tablespoon salt, for pasta water
For the Sauce
- 1 pound Italian sausage, mild or hot, casings removed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, medium, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes, canned
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated, plus more for serving
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped, plus more for garnish
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil for the pasta. Add the rigatoni and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
⏱️ 12 min
- 2
While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Drain off any excess fat and transfer the sausage to a plate, leaving a small amount of fat in the pan.
⏱️ 7 min
- 3
Reduce heat to medium. Add the chopped yellow onion to the skillet and cook until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for another 1 minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 6 min
- 4
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, salt, and black pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and let it cook for 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
⏱️ 15 min
- 5
Uncover the sauce and stir in the heavy cream and cooked Italian sausage. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until heated through.
⏱️ 3 min
- 6
Add the drained rigatoni to the sauce. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash or two of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
⏱️ 5 min
- 7
Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh basil, if desired.
⏱️ 2 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Creamy Tomato Pasta with Italian Sausage
For the Pasta
- 1 pound rigatoni
- 1 tablespoon salt, for pasta water
For the Sauce
- 1 pound Italian sausage, mild or hot, casings removed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, medium, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes, canned
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated, plus more for serving
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped, plus more for garnish
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil for the pasta. Add the rigatoni and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
⏱️ 12 min - 2
While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Drain off any excess fat and transfer the sausage to a plate, leaving a small amount of fat in the pan.
⏱️ 7 min - 3
Reduce heat to medium. Add the chopped yellow onion to the skillet and cook until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for another 1 minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 6 min - 4
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, salt, and black pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and let it cook for 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
⏱️ 15 min - 5
Uncover the sauce and stir in the heavy cream and cooked Italian sausage. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until heated through.
⏱️ 3 min - 6
Add the drained rigatoni to the sauce. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash or two of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
⏱️ 5 min - 7
Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh basil, if desired.
⏱️ 2 min