Description
Hearty garlic sausage alfredo rigatoni delivers a comforting Italian-inspired feast with robust flavors and creamy textures. Rich pasta promises a satisfying meal that will transport diners straight to a rustic countryside kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (454 grams) rigatoni pasta
- 1 pound (454 grams) garlic sausage, casings removed and crumbled
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasoning and Aromatics:
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Garnish:
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare rigatoni according to package directions, ensuring pasta reaches al dente texture. Drain and reserve.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium temperature, then introduce crumbled garlic sausage. Cook thoroughly until meat develops a rich golden-brown exterior.
- Introduce minced garlic into the skillet, stirring continuously for approximately one minute to release aromatic flavors without scorching.
- Pour heavy cream into the skillet, allowing mixture to reach a gentle simmer. Let sauce develop and slightly thicken over 2-3 minutes.
- Gradually incorporate grated Parmesan cheese, stirring consistently until cheese melts completely and integrates smoothly with cream base.
- Season sauce with salt and freshly ground black pepper, adjusting flavors to personal preference.
- Transfer cooked rigatoni into skillet, gently tossing pasta to ensure complete and even coverage with creamy Alfredo sauce.
- Transfer pasta to serving dishes, garnishing with finely chopped fresh parsley for a vibrant, herbaceous finish.
Notes
- Swap regular garlic sausage with chicken or turkey sausage for a leaner protein option that reduces overall fat content.
- Add extra vegetables like spinach, broccoli, or roasted bell peppers directly into the sauce for increased nutrition and color variety.
- Toast Parmesan cheese on top under the broiler for 1-2 minutes to create a crispy golden crust that adds delightful texture to the dish.
- Reserve some pasta water before draining to help create a silkier, more cohesive sauce if the mixture seems too thick when combining pasta and Alfredo.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 720
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 72 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg