Italian Sausage Rigatoni (Printable Version)
# What You'll Need:
→ Main Ingredients
01 -
1 pound rigatoni pasta
02 -
1/4 cup fresh oregano, chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried oregano)
03 -
2 teaspoons salt
04 -
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
05 -
1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried basil)
06 -
1 1/2 cups grated Parmesan cheese
07 -
1 teaspoon black pepper
08 -
2 cans (28 ounces each) whole or crushed tomatoes
09 -
1 1/2 pounds Italian sausage, casings taken off
10 -
1 large onion, diced
11 -
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
12 -
4 garlic cloves, minced
13 -
1 teaspoon red chili flakes
# Steps to Follow:
01 -
Dish out the pasta into bowls or onto plates. Throw on the rest of your Parmesan and a handful of basil leaves if you’ve got ‘em. Dig in right away.
02 -
Drop your cooked rigatoni into the sauce. Mix everything up so the noodles get a good coating. Want things even thicker? Let it cook together for another 10 minutes.
03 -
Pour in the cream and about 1 cup of Parmesan. Let that bubble gently for 5 to 7 minutes, giving it a stir now and then. Taste it—add a bit more salt or pepper if you think it needs it.
04 -
Toss your tomatoes in with the sausage. Using whole tomatoes? Blend ‘em up first if you want smooth sauce. Sprinkle in your basil, oregano, chili flakes, salt, and pepper. Crank up the heat to get a boil, then let it simmer on low for about 5 to 7 minutes.
05 -
As you work on the sauce, fill another pot with water and let it come to a boil. Salt it well. Cook your rigatoni following the package guide—9 to 11 minutes if you want it a bit firm. Drain and set aside.
06 -
Next, toss your sausage into the pot. Break it up with a spoon so it’s crumbly. Let it cook for 7 to 8 minutes until it loses its pink color.
07 -
Start by getting your olive oil hot in a big pot over medium. Throw in the onion and cook it, stirring now and then, for 7 or 8 minutes until it softens. Add the minced garlic and give it a minute till you catch the aroma.
# Additional Tips:
01 -
Grab some good Italian sausage and grate your own Parmesan to get the best flavors in your bowl.
02 -
Want your sauce extra rich? Just let everything simmer for another 5 or 10 minutes before serving.