This creamy One Pot Italian Sausage Rigatoni is a 30-minute meal made with Italian sausage, rigatoni pasta, marinara, Parmesan, and heavy cream. Everything cooks together in one pot, including the pasta, so you get a hearty weeknight dinner without a sink full of dishes.
The rigatoni cooks right in the tomato and sausage sauce until al dente, soaking up plenty of flavor along the way. A splash of heavy cream and Parmesan cheese added at the end makes the sauce rich and creamy without adding extra steps.
If you like easy one-pot pasta recipes, try my One Creamy Rotel Pasta or Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup next.
Shortcut Notes
- One-pot dinner: The sausage, sauce, and uncooked pasta all cook in the same pot for less cleanup.
- 30-minute meal: This easy sausage rigatoni goes from stovetop to table in about 30 minutes.
- Pantry ingredients: Jarred marinara, canned tomatoes, and chicken broth keep the ingredient list simple and the prep work minimal.
Jump to:
Ingredients
- Olive oil: Used to brown the Italian sausage and keep it from sticking to the pot.
- Sweet Italian sausage: If your sausage comes in casings, remove the casings before cooking. You can also use mild or spicy sausage.
- Garlic cloves: Minced garlic adds savory flavor to the sausage and tomato sauce.
- Seasoning: Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.
- Tomato paste: Concentrated tomato that adds deeper flavor and helps thicken the sauce.
- Diced tomatoes: Use the tomatoes and their juices. Petite diced tomatoes also work if you prefer smaller pieces. You can also use crushed tomatoes.
- Marinara sauce: Jarred pasta sauce keeps this rigatoni recipe quick and easy.
- Chicken broth: Provides enough liquid for the pasta to cook directly in the sauce.
- Rigatoni pasta: A ridged tube-shaped pasta that holds onto the creamy sausage sauce well.
- Heavy cream: Stirred in at the end for a rich and creamy sauce.
- Parmesan cheese: Shredded parmesan adds salty, savory flavor and helps make the sauce creamy.
See the recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.
Add the Italian sausage and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
To the pot, add the garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes and cook for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
Next, add the tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.
Add the rigatoni, diced tomatoes (do not drain), marinara sauce, and chicken broth.
Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Cover with a lid and cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring every few minutes, until the pasta is cooked al dente and the sauce has reduced and thickened.
Tip: Stirring frequently will ensure the pasta does not stick together or stick to the bottom of the pot. Covering the pot with a lid in between stirring helps the noodles on top cook with the steam.
When the pasta is cooked, remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the heavy cream and parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Garnish with fresh basil, optional. Serve warm.
Substitutions
- Sweet Italian sausage: Mild or spicy Italian sausage works well. You can also use ground beef, ground turkey, ground chicken, or meatless crumbles.
- Garlic cloves: Use refrigerated minced garlic for an easy shortcut.
- Italian seasoning: Use a combination of dried basil and oregano if you do not have an Italian seasoning blend.
- Marinara sauce: Use homemade marinara or your favorite jarred pasta sauce.
- Rigatoni pasta: Penne, ziti, rotini, or another short pasta can be used. Cooking time may vary depending on the pasta shape.
Behind the Recipe
One-pot sausage pasta is one of my favorite options when I want a flavorful dinner without spending the rest of the night cleaning the kitchen. My husband and I have a vendetta against the colander. I especially like this sausage rigatoni because it's an easy recipe and it's made in one pan. Now THAT'S comfort food.
FAQ
Yes. Penne, ziti, rotini, or another short pasta shape can be substituted. Keep an eye on the pasta because the cooking time and amount of liquid needed may vary.
📖 Recipe
One Pot Italian Sausage Rigatoni
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound sweet Italian sausage casings removed
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ¼ cup tomato paste
- 1 pound rigatoni pasta uncooked
- 1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 2 cups chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup shredded parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes and cook for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
- Add the tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Add the rigatoni, diced tomatoes (do not drain), marinara sauce, and chicken broth. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Cover with a lid and cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring every few minutes, until the pasta is cooked al dente and the sauce has reduced and thickened.
- When the pasta is cooked, remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the heavy cream and parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Garnish with fresh basil, optional. Serve warm.
Notes
Nutrition
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Food safety
- Sausages that contain ground beef, pork, lamb, or veal should be cooked to 160°F (71.1°C).
- Sausages that contain ground turkey and chicken should be cooked to 165°F (73.9°C).
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat.
- Wash hands after touching raw meat.
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods.
- Never leave cooking food unattended.
T Rowe says
The recipe was on point. It was easy to prepare and delicious. It will definitely be added to the dinner rotation.
Kelsey Smith says
Excellent! I love to hear that. I appreciate the review.