Ingredients
Method
Cooking the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve about a cup of the pasta water before draining the pasta.
Cooking the Sausage
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add the Italian beef sausage. Break it into smaller pieces and cook until browned and cooked through (about 5-7 minutes). Drain any excess fat if necessary.
Sautéing Garlic
- Once the sausage is browned, add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Creating the Sauce
- Lower the heat and pour in the heavy cream. Stir in Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Allow the mixture to simmer for about 3-4 minutes.
Combining Ingredients
- Add the drained rigatoni to the skillet along with the grated Parmesan cheese. Toss everything together until well combined. Adjust the sauce consistency with reserved pasta water as needed.
Serving
- Plate the Easy Creamy Italian Beef Sausage Rigatoni and garnish with fresh basil and extra Parmesan if desired.
Notes
For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half. Use plant-based sausage for a vegetarian dish. Watch the garlic closely to avoid burning.
