Creamy Tomato Pasta with Italian Sausage
Creamy Tomato Pasta with Italian Sausage
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 12 ounces rigatoni
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt, plus more for pasta water
For the Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1/2 yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 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 for the pasta.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
While the water heats, 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 as it cooks. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Drain any excess grease.
⏱️ 8 min
- 3
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the diced yellow onion to the skillet with the sausage and cook until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
⏱️ 7 min
- 4
Stir in the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
⏱️ 1 min
- 5
Pour in the crushed tomatoes, kosher salt, and black pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and let it cook for at least 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Stir occasionally.
⏱️ 10 min
- 6
While the sauce simmers, add the rigatoni to the boiling salted water. Cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water.
⏱️ 10 min
- 7
Stir the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese into the tomato sauce. Mix well until the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy.
⏱️ 2 min
- 8
Add the drained rigatoni directly to the skillet with the sauce. Add the chopped fresh basil. Toss to coat the pasta evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash or two of the reserved pasta cooking water until it reaches your desired consistency.
⏱️ 5 min
- 9
Serve immediately, garnished with additional grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil, if desired.
⏱️ 2 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Creamy Tomato Pasta with Italian Sausage
For the Pasta
- 12 ounces rigatoni
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt, plus more for pasta water
For the Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1/2 yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 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 for the pasta.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
While the water heats, 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 as it cooks. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Drain any excess grease.
⏱️ 8 min - 3
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the diced yellow onion to the skillet with the sausage and cook until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
⏱️ 7 min - 4
Stir in the minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
⏱️ 1 min - 5
Pour in the crushed tomatoes, kosher salt, and black pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and let it cook for at least 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Stir occasionally.
⏱️ 10 min - 6
While the sauce simmers, add the rigatoni to the boiling salted water. Cook according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water.
⏱️ 10 min - 7
Stir the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese into the tomato sauce. Mix well until the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy.
⏱️ 2 min - 8
Add the drained rigatoni directly to the skillet with the sauce. Add the chopped fresh basil. Toss to coat the pasta evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash or two of the reserved pasta cooking water until it reaches your desired consistency.
⏱️ 5 min - 9
Serve immediately, garnished with additional grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil, if desired.
⏱️ 2 min