Sausage with Rigatoni in Spicy Cream Sauce is pure comfort food and makes an easy and delicious weeknight meal. This recipe strikes a delightful balance between the acidity of the tomatoes and the indulgent creaminess of the sauce.

Italian Sausage Rigatoni with Spicy Cream Sauce in a bowl.

The flavor starts with onion and garlic which are sauteed with the sausage for maximum flavor.

A can of diced tomatoes and a can of tomato sauce are then added. I think it’s nice to have a few chunks of tomato in an otherwise creamy sauce. A tablespoon of tomato paste really ups the tomato flavor.

Pasta coated in sauce in serving bowl.

This recipe has the perfect balance between tomatoes and cream.  A half a cup of cream makes it plenty rich and creamy, but doesn’t make it heavy.

A little salt, pepper, dried basil (you could use fresh), and red pepper flakes are all that’s needed for the sauce as far as seasoning.

Parmesan cheese is added last minute to the sauce for more flavor, plus it helps thicken the sauce. Use either hot or mild sausage. I usually go with hot.

Whenever I make this pasta dish, I think- I don’t cook rigatoni nearly enough! I love the chewiness and substance it has. This dish is the epitome of comfort food!

Close-up of Italian Sausage Rigatoni with Spicy Cream Sauce.

How To Serve Italian Sausage Rigatoni with Spicy Cream Sauce

This spicy sausage rigatoni dish tastes great topped with some chopped fresh basil, garlic bread, and a garden salad with Creamy Italian Dressing.

Variations

  • Use penne or ziti in place of rigatoni.
  • Use turkey sausage in place of Italian sausage.
  • Leave the red pepepr flakes out if you don’t want it spicy.

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Italian Sausage Rigatoni with Spicy Cream Sauce in bowl.

More Easy Pasta Recipes

Watch the short video below to see how easy this recipe is to make.

Italian Sausage Rigatoni with Spicy Cream Sauce

4.94 from 74 votes

By Christin Mahrlig

Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Servings: 5
Italian Sausage Rigatoni in Spicy Cream Sauce makes an easy weeknight meal. The sauce has the perfect balance between tomatoes and cream.
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Ingredients

  • 12 ounces Rigatoni pasta
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion,, chopped
  • 1 pound Italian sausage Remove from casings if in casings,, use either sweet or spicy
  • 3 cloves garlic,, minced
  • 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes,, undrained
  • 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions 

  • Heat olive oil in a large pan and cook onion until it starts to soften. Add sausage, and break it into pieces with a wooden spoon as it cooks.
  • When sausage is no longer pink, add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Drain off any excess fat.
  • Add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, basil, salt, red pepper flakes, and black pepper and simmer until thickened, about 15 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and place drained pasta in a large bowl.
  • Add cream and simmer another 5 minutes, Turn heat to low and stir in Parmesan cheese.
  • Pour sauce over pasta and toss to coat.

Notes

Nutritional info is provided as an estimate only and will vary based on brands of products used. Not to be used for specific dietary needs.

Nutrition

Calories: 754kcal | Carbohydrates: 62g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 44g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 18g | Cholesterol: 105mg | Sodium: 1444mg | Potassium: 791mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 839IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 180mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this?Leave a comment below and tag us @spicysouthernkitchen on social media!

Originally posted September 6, 2015.

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127 Comments

  1. Janice says:

    My husband and Korean mother both LOVED this dish, and my mother usually steers away from Italian. The spiciness helped cut the creaminess of the sauce, making for one perfectly balanced meal. Thank you for this excellent recipe!

    1. Christin Mahrlig says:

      ๐Ÿ™‚ ๐Ÿ™‚ So happy you and your family enjoyed it!

  2. Carla says:

    Probably have made this 6 times in last year, really tasty. First couple times it was too salty. I only add a pinch of salt as the dish is plenty salty with sausage and Parmesan cheese.

  3. Julia Bak says:

    Hi Christin. I cook ALOT and must say this was a yummy recipe. I have other pasta recipes that are equally delicious, however itโ€™s nice to try something new . I used hot Italian sausages and Fire Roasted tomatoes to give it a little more kick and Iโ€™m glad I did…super result!

  4. Alyssa says:

    This is the best darn thing I have ever made and that I have ever eaten and my boyfriend loves it so much! I use both mild and spicy sausage and a sweet yellow onion, but omg i make this so often cuz the boyfriend requests it so much!! I wish that i could give 10 stars!! THANK YOU for this recipe!!!!!!!

  5. Doreen Galea says:

    I came across this recipe when I googled. Sounded good so I made it. It was yum and the spicy sausage added flavour. My hubby loved it too. After a week of extremly high temperatures here in Oz and a cool change today we felt like some pasta. Will be making again. Thanks ๐Ÿ˜Š

  6. Lorna says:

    This is a family favourite! We all love it and it is easy to make. Thank you for sharing!

  7. Shannon says:

    Made this last night and it was excellent! Super simple and quick dish! Highly recommend!

  8. Pam Christian says:

    My two men loved this! As did I, loved it enough to sign up for your blog, which I’ve never done before!

  9. Polarrow says:

    Made this a number of times now but with greek yogurt instead of cream and I have to say this has become one of my favourite meals. Everyone I’ve made it for have really enjoyed it as well. In fact I am making it again today. Can’t wait till it’s ready!!! Thanks

  10. Mona says:

    Excellent , I made homemade Italian saisage. , it turned out wonderfully. Thanks for sharing an excellent recipe.