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Rigatoni

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!

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 648 kcal
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian , American

Ingredients

  • 12 12 oz dry rigatoni noodles see note 1
  • 2 2 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 1 medium onion diced (about 1 cup)
  • 1 1 Tablespoon minced garlic 
  • 1 1 lb mild Italian sausage see note 2
  • 28 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
  • 8 8 oz can tomato sauce
  • 1 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 1 ½ 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 1 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • ½ ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ ¼ teaspoon table salt
  • ½ ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ¼ ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
  • ⅓ ⅓ cup heavy cream see note 3
  • ¼ ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. 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.
  2. Meanwhile, begin preparing sauce by heating olive oil in a Dutch oven (or large pan) over medium heat.
  3. Once oil is shimmering, add onion and cook, stirring frequently, until softened (about 3-5 minutes).
  4. Add garlic and cook until fragrant (about 30 seconds).
  5. Add sausage and cook, crumbling, until browned.
  6. 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.
  7. Add prepared, drained rigatoni noodles to the pot and stir to combine.
  8. Add heavy cream and parmesan and stir until thoroughly combined and cheese is melted.
  9. Serve warm with a side salad and/or slice of crusty bread. Enjoy!

Notes

  • 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!
  • 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.
  • Heavy cream, double cream, or heavy whipping cream will work well here. I do not recommend using milk, which could curdle.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1serving Calories 648kcal (32%) Carbohydrates 60g (20%) Protein 23g (46%) Fat 36g (55%) Saturated Fat 13g (65%) Polyunsaturated Fat 4g Monounsaturated Fat 16g Cholesterol 79mg (26%) Sodium 1097mg (46%) Potassium 894mg (26%) Fiber 6g (24%) Sugar 12g (24%) Vitamin A 714IU (14%) Vitamin C 18mg (20%) Calcium 150mg (15%) Iron 4mg (22%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 648

% Daily Value*

Serving 1serving
Calories 648kcal 32%
Carbohydrates 60g 20%
Protein 23g 46%
Fat 36g 55%
Saturated Fat 13g 65%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4g 24%
Monounsaturated Fat 16g 80%
Cholesterol 79mg 26%
Sodium 1097mg 46%
Potassium 894mg 19%
Fiber 6g 24%
Sugar 12g 24%
Vitamin A 714IU 14%
Vitamin C 18mg 20%
Calcium 150mg 15%
Iron 4mg 22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.