Spicy Beef Sausage Rigatoni: A Hearty Weeknight Meal (Print Version)

Spicy Beef Sausage Rigatoni is a comforting, robust pasta dish I make when I need a hug in a bowl. Rich tomato sauce, a little kick, and satisfying rigatoni.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 35 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Intermediate
Cuisine: Italian-American
Dietary: Contains Meat, Dairy, Gluten

# Ingredients:

→ Hearty Base

01 - 1 lb rigatoni pasta
02 - 1 lb spicy beef sausage (or hot Italian pork sausage), casings removed
03 - 1 large yellow onion, finely diced
04 - 4 cloves garlic, minced

→ Sauce Essentials

05 - 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes (San Marzano if possible)
06 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
07 - 1/2 - 1 tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
08 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving

→ Flavor Boosters

09 - 2 tbsp olive oil
10 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Fresh Finishing Touches

11 - 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped

# Instructions:

01 - Okay, first things first, grab your biggest skillet or Dutch oven and get it nice and hot over medium-high heat. Add a tiny drizzle of olive oil, then crumble in your spicy beef sausage. Break it up with a spoon as it cooks, letting it get beautifully browned and crispy. This is where all that incredible flavor starts, so don't rush it! I always let it get a good sear; you want those golden bits. Once it’s cooked through, drain off most of that excess fat; we want flavor, not grease, you know?
02 - Now, with that little bit of remaining fat (or a fresh drizzle of oil if needed), toss in your finely diced onion. Let it soften and become translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Then, add your minced garlic and those red pepper flakes. Oh, the smell! It's honestly one of my favorite kitchen aromas. Sauté for just a minute until fragrant; you don't want the garlic to burn, or it'll get bitter, and that's an oops moment you want to avoid!
03 - Pour in your canned crushed tomatoes. Give it a good stir, making sure to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan – that's pure flavor! Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it do its thing for at least 15-20 minutes. This really allows all those flavors to meld and deepen. This is where the magic happens, trust me!
04 - While your sauce is simmering away, get a large pot of salted water boiling for your rigatoni. And I mean *salted* water, like the sea! Cook the pasta according to package directions until it's al dente – that's important! It should still have a little bite. I always forget to salt the water, then kick myself. Once it's done, drain it, but save about a cup of that starchy pasta water; it’s liquid gold for our sauce later!
05 - Stir the heavy cream into your simmering tomato sauce. Let it warm through for a minute or two, making the sauce wonderfully creamy. Then, add your cooked rigatoni directly into the sauce. Toss everything together, making sure every single piece of pasta is coated in that delicious, spicy sauce. If it seems a little too thick, add a splash or two of that reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency. This is where the dish truly comes together, looking so inviting!
06 - Finally, remove the pan from the heat. Stir in about half of your freshly grated Parmesan cheese and most of the fresh basil. Give it a final taste; adjust seasoning if needed. Ladle generous portions into bowls, then garnish with the remaining Parmesan and a sprinkle of fresh basil. The Spicy Beef Sausage Rigatoni should look vibrant, smell incredible, and taste even better. Get ready for some serious comfort!

# Notes:

01 - Always taste your sauce as you go; adjusting seasoning and spice is key to making it perfect for you.
02 - For easy cleanup, make sure to use a good non-stick skillet for the sausage, trust me on this one!
03 - If you don't have fresh basil, a sprinkle of fresh parsley works well for a touch of green and freshness.
04 - Serving with warm crusty bread to soak up the extra sauce is a personal must-do for me!

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large skillet or Dutch oven
02 - large pot
03 - wooden spoon

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 650 kcal
Total Fat: 35g
Total Carbohydrate: 55g
Protein: 30g

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