Italian Sausage Pasta
A hearty and comforting dish made with Italian sausage, rigatoni pasta, and a creamy sauce that brings warmth and love to the dinner table.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 10 ounces Rigatoni Pasta Alternatively, you can use whole wheat pasta.
- 1 pound Italian Sausage Mild or spicy, based on your preference.
- 1 medium Onion Chopped.
- 3 cloves Garlic Minced.
- 1 cup Sundried Tomatoes Chopped.
- 4 cups Fresh Spinach Can substitute with kale.
- 1 cup Cream Heavy cream works best.
- 1 cup Parmesan Cheese Freshly grated.
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil For sautéing.
- to taste Salt For seasoning.
- to taste Pepper For seasoning.
Instructions
Preparation
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add chopped onions and cook until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
- Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
Cooking
- Crumble the Italian sausage into the skillet and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in sundried tomatoes and fresh spinach, cooking until spinach wilts, about 2 minutes.
- Meanwhile, cook rigatoni pasta in salted boiling water according to package instructions, approximately 10-12 minutes.
- Reserve a cup of pasta water, then drain pasta and add to the skillet with the sausage mixture.
- Pour in cream and sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese, mixing until the pasta is coated.
- If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water until desired creaminess is achieved.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serving
- Serve in hearty portions with extra Parmesan on top and enjoy!
Notes
This dish is excellent for weeknight dinners or entertaining guests. Pair it with a fresh garden salad and a glass of chilled white wine for a delightful meal. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container and reheated easily in the microwave, adding a splash of milk or broth to loosen the sauce.