When you're craving something hearty, creamy, and irresistibly flavorful, look no further than this Creamy Sausage Rigatoni!
This dish combines tender rigatoni pasta with savory Italian sausage, all tossed in a luscious, velvety cream sauce with hints of garlic, Parmesan cheese, and a touch of spice. It's one of those meals that's easy enough for a busy weeknight yet indulgent enough to serve to guests or for special family dinners.

One pan, one dreamy dish, endless compliments. This pasta brings everything together — rich flavors, satisfying textures, and pure comfort in every bite.

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Ingredients (in grams)

• 350 g rigatoni pasta
• 400 g Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casings removed)
• 1 small onion, finely chopped (100 g)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced (9 g)
• 250 ml heavy cream
• 120 ml chicken broth
• 60 g grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for garnish)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (30 g)
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (2 g)
• ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, 1 g)
• ½ teaspoon black pepper (1 g)
• ½ teaspoon salt (1 g)
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional, 8 g)

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Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

1. Boil the pasta:
   Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add rigatoni and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and reserve 120 ml of pasta water. Set pasta aside.

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Step 2: Prepare the Sausage and Sauce

2. Cook the sausage:
   While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage, breaking it up into small pieces with a spatula. Cook until browned and fully cooked (about 6-7 minutes).
3. Add aromatics:
   Stir in the chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Deglaze and build the sauce:
   Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan for extra flavor. Reduce heat to low.
5. Make it creamy:
   Stir in the heavy cream, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Let simmer gently for 3-5 minutes until slightly thickened.
6. Melt in Parmesan:
   Add the Parmesan cheese and stir until fully melted and the sauce becomes rich and creamy.

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Step 3: Toss and Finish

7. Combine pasta and sauce:
   Add the cooked rigatoni directly into the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together, adding a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce and coat the pasta beautifully.
8. Serve:
   Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley. Serve immediately while hot and creamy!

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Nutritional Information (per serving, based on 6 servings)

• Calories: 580 kcal
• Protein: 22 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fat: 34 g
• Saturated Fat: 16 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 780 mg

(Nutrition may vary depending on the type of sausage and cream used.)

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Tips and Tricks

• Use spicy sausage: If you love a little heat, opt for spicy Italian sausage instead of mild for a bolder flavor.
• Add vegetables: Toss in spinach, mushrooms, or sun-dried tomatoes during the sauce-making step for extra nutrition and color.
• Make it lighter: Substitute half-and-half instead of heavy cream and use turkey sausage to lighten up the dish without sacrificing flavor.
• Pasta alternatives: No rigatoni? No problem! Penne, ziti, or even fettuccine work great here.
• Storage tips: This pasta reheats beautifully. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Add a splash of broth or cream when reheating to refresh the sauce.

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My Special Addition to Your Website 🌟

Why readers will fall in love with this recipe:
This Creamy Sausage Rigatoni is the perfect blend of effortless cooking and luxurious eating. In just about 30 minutes, you get a dish that feels like it came straight from a cozy Italian trattoria. Encourage your readers to personalize it with their favorite mix-ins, like roasted peppers or caramelized onions, making it even more special.

For bonus content, you could create a blog post around "How to Make the Perfect Cream Sauce Every Time" or "Best Pasta Shapes for Creamy Sauces" to keep readers engaged and coming back for more.