This simple, hearty rigatoni is the perfect weeknight dinner! Recipe comes together in just over 30 minutes and makes enough to share. Keep scrolling to watch the how-to video!
Prepare pasta according to package instructions (cook in salted, boiling water until al dente). Drain, rinse under cold water, drain well again, and set aside.
12 oz dry rigatoni noodles
Meanwhile, begin preparing sauce by heating olive oil in a Dutch oven (or large pan) over medium heat.
2 Tablespoons olive oil
Once oil is shimmering, add onion and cook, stirring frequently, until softened (about 3-5 minutes).
1 medium onion
Add garlic and cook until fragrant (about 30 seconds).
1 Tablespoon minced garlic
Add sausage and cook, crumbling, until browned.
1 lb mild Italian sausage
Add crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, sugar, Italian seasoning, dried basil, onion powder, table salt, black pepper and red pepper flakes and stir well. Simmer for 10 minutes.
28 oz can crushed tomatoes, 8 oz can tomato sauce, 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar, 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon dried basil, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ¼ teaspoon table salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Add prepared, drained rigatoni noodles to the pot and stir to combine.
Add heavy cream and parmesan and stir until thoroughly combined and cheese is melted.
⅓ cup heavy cream, ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
Serve warm with a side salad and/or slice of crusty bread. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
1) Pasta
You may substitute your favorite pasta shape but the broad tube shape of the rigatoni works really well here for catching the sauce and I recommend using a similarly shaped noodle if you can’t find rigatoni! Penne and Ziti noodles work great here!
2) Sausage
You may substitute sweet or hot Italian sausage or even ground beef instead. You may also omit the meat entirely for a vegetarian rigatoni, but keep in mind much of the flavor comes from the sausage.
3) Heavy cream
Heavy cream, double cream, or heavy whipping cream will work well here. I do not recommend using milk, which could curdle.