Go Back
Creamy Rigatoni with Italian Sausage Dinner Ideas
Ayoub Bazzi

Creamy Beef Sausage Rigatoni

This comforting Italian-American pasta dish features hearty, browned beef sausage and perfectly al dente rigatoni tossed in a silky, parmesan-infused cream sauce. Elevated with aromatic garlic and a touch of tomato paste for depth, the addition of fresh spinach adds a vibrant nutritional boost. It is the perfect restaurant-quality meal for busy weeknights, coming together in under an hour for a satisfying dinner experience.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: DINNER
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 680
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb Rigatoni Pasta
  • 1 lb Beef Sausage, casings removed
  • 1.5 cups Heavy Cream
  • 1 cup Parmesan Cheese, freshly grated
  • 2 cups Fresh Spinach, roughly chopped
  • 2 tbsp Tomato Paste
  • 3 cloves Garlic, minced finely
  • Salt to taste

Method
 

  1. Boil a large pot of salted water and cook rigatoni according to package directions until al dente.
  2. Brown the beef sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat until fully cooked through.
  3. Sauté the minced garlic with the cooked sausage for one minute until fragrant.
  4. Stir in the tomato paste, ensuring it coats the sausage mixture evenly.
  5. Pour the heavy cream into the skillet and reduce heat to a gentle simmer.
  6. Whisk in the parmesan cheese until the sauce thickens and reaches a smooth consistency.
  7. Add the cooked pasta and fresh spinach directly into the sauce, tossing until the spinach is wilted and the pasta is well coated.

Notes

Substitute rigatoni with penne if preferred. For the best sauce texture, use full-fat heavy cream and avoid pre-shredded cheese, as fresh parmesan melts significantly better. Ensure you reserve a splash of pasta water if you need to adjust the sauce consistency.