Enjoy this quick and tasty sausage rigatoni recipe with creamy homemade marinara sauce and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. It only takes 30 minutes to make and will surely be a hit with the whole family.
With this easy recipe, you can whip up a delicious and hearty sausage rigatoni meal in 30 minutes. It’s perfect for busy weeknights! You are going to love this family-friendly pasta dish. The creamy tomato-garlic sauce is a cinch to make.
It reheats well, and the leftovers are just as delicious. It is always a huge hit when I make it. I love to serve it with Italian salad and cheese-garlic bread, but it is also yummy with creamy asparagus soup and Tuscan white bean soup.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
See the complete list of ingredients below on the recipe card.
- Rigatoni pasta: or penne, ziti, or mostaccioli
- Italian sausage: If you don’t like Italian sausage, make it with mild-flavored breakfast pork sausage
- Canned crushed tomatoes: Cento and Red Gold are both good brands
- Parmesan cheese: freshly grated is best
How to Make Sausage Rigatoni
This is just the nutshell version of the recipe. See the recipe card below for ingredients and complete directions.
Cook the rigatoni according to package directions and drain well. Meanwhile, brown the Italian sausage in a large skillet over medium heat. About halfway through the browning process, add the onion. Cook until the sausage browns and the onion softens.
Reduce the heat to low, add the garlic and Italian seasoning, and cook for a minute. Add the crushed tomatoes and red pepper flakes and simmer for about ten minutes. Stir in the cream and the cooked pasta. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil.
Preparation Tips
- Season to taste. Add a couple more minced cloves if you like a lot of garlic. Or, if you want the heat, turn it up with more crushed red pepper.
- Reserve a cup of the pasta water. The starchy water is excellent for thinning the sauce if it is too thick. Just add a little at a time.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave at reduced power.
Serving Suggestions
The possibilities are endless, but I love to serve a vegetable as a side dish, like sauteed spinach or roasted asparagus. A green salad like Italian salad or arugula salad is always a great choice. Or keep it simple and go for cheese garlic bread or cheddar pull-apart bread.
Frequently Asked Questions
Other pasta that work well with this sauce include tagliatelle, pappardelle, penne, ziti, or even medium shells.
You can use ground beef, pork, or turkey. Always drain the excess fat.
More Pasta Recipes
Sausage Rigatoni Pasta
Ingredients
- 12 ounces rigatoni pasta
- 1 lb Italian sausage
- 1 small onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 2-3 pinches red pepper flakes
- ½ cup heavy cream
- kosher salt to taste
- freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Chopped or torn fresh basil
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add the pasta and cook al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup pasta water, Drain the pasta well.
- Meanwhile, in a large skillet, over medium heat brown the Italian sausage. About halfway through the browning process, add the onion. Cook until the sausage is browned and the onion is soft. Drain any excess grease from the skillet.
- Reduce the heat to low, add the garlic and Italian seasoning, and cook for 1 minute
- Add the crushed tomatoes and red pepper flakes and simmer for 8-10 minutes. Stir in the heavy cream and the cooked pasta.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil.
Notes
- Season to taste. If you like a lot of garlic, add a couple more minced cloves. Or, if you like the heat, turn it up with more crushed red pepper.
- Reserve a cup of the pasta water. The starchy water is great for thinning sauce if it is too thick. Just add a little at a time.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. My husband always says 4 days, but I am a play-it-safe kind of person. Reheat on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave at reduced power.
Kenny
Great recipe! It cooked up tender and flavorful. It is a new family favorite and perfect for family dinner on Sunday!
Laura
This was amazing comfort food. So quick and creamy! Even my picky husband enjoyed it. Thank for sharing!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Laura! I am so glad that he liked it!
Hari
I am excited to read your posts because every time I come to your site, I learn a new recipe. This looks super delicious, and can’t wait to try it this weekend!
Suzanne McFarley
The combination of creamy tomato garlic sauce with hearty sausage and rigatoni pasta was delicious. Everyone in the house loved it. This will be on repeat from now on!
Janice Humphrey
I love a bit of sausage in my pasta sauce, but in England I really struggle to get Italian sausages! Thank you for sharing this recipe, looks delicious.
Lavanda Michelle
Can’t wait to try making this sausage rigatoni for dinner tonight. It sounds like a perfect quick fix for busy evenings.
Reese S
I love to make this sausage pasta. Everyone in the family loves it and it is quick and easy to make.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Reese! So happy that you liked it!
Lisa R
This sausage rigatoni is such a delicious dish! The family really enjoyed it and we will make it again. Thanks, Beth!
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Lisa!
Ellen
This is such a great meal to whip up after I have been at work as it is very quick to put together. We love the sauce and the cheese on the pasta along with the sausage. It is so good!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Ellen! So glad that you like it!
NickT
I enjoyed the simplicity and efficiency of the sausage rigatoni recipe. With just a handful of ingredients and 30 minutes, it delivers a flavorful and satisfying meal perfect for busy weeknights.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Nick! We love it too!
April
super delish! We loved the flavors and it came together in a flash!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, April!
Heather
This looks like a really great but simple recipe! I would use hot Italian chicken sausage in mine!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Heather! Enjoy!
Erik
This is now my go-to weeknight meal! It’s quick and easy but the flavor was incredible, and the leftovers were even better the next day!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Erik! So glad that you like it!
Sandra Z
Had this for dinner last night and I loved it! It’s my go to pasta recipe from now on!