Creamy Tomato Pasta with Sausage
Creamy Tomato Pasta with Sausage
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 1 pound rigatoni
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt, plus more for pasta water
For the Sauce
- 1 pound Italian sausage, mild or hot, casings removed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 yellow onion, finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes, canned
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, 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 black pepper, freshly ground
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add the rigatoni and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 1/2 cups of pasta water before draining the pasta.
⏱️ 12 min
- 2
While the pasta cooks, heat the 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 cooked sausage to a plate, leaving a small amount of fat in the pan.
⏱️ 7 min
- 3
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the diced 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, being careful not to burn the garlic.
⏱️ 6 min
- 4
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, 1 tablespoon of kosher salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
⏱️ 12 min
- 5
Uncover the sauce and stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Add the cooked Italian sausage back to the pan. Stir well to combine.
⏱️ 3 min
- 6
Add the drained rigatoni to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat the pasta evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water, 1/4 cup at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency.
⏱️ 3 min
- 7
Stir in the chopped fresh basil. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve immediately, garnished with additional grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil.
⏱️ 2 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Creamy Tomato Pasta with Sausage
For the Pasta
- 1 pound rigatoni
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt, plus more for pasta water
For the Sauce
- 1 pound Italian sausage, mild or hot, casings removed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 yellow onion, finely diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes, canned
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, 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 black pepper, freshly ground
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add the rigatoni and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 1/2 cups of pasta water before draining the pasta.
⏱️ 12 min - 2
While the pasta cooks, heat the 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 cooked sausage to a plate, leaving a small amount of fat in the pan.
⏱️ 7 min - 3
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the diced 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, being careful not to burn the garlic.
⏱️ 6 min - 4
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, 1 tablespoon of kosher salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
⏱️ 12 min - 5
Uncover the sauce and stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Add the cooked Italian sausage back to the pan. Stir well to combine.
⏱️ 3 min - 6
Add the drained rigatoni to the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat the pasta evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water, 1/4 cup at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency.
⏱️ 3 min - 7
Stir in the chopped fresh basil. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve immediately, garnished with additional grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil.
⏱️ 2 min