Description
A comforting, creamy pasta dish that comes together in a single pan, perfect for cozy weeknight dinners or casual family gatherings. Tender rigatoni, savory chicken or beef sausage, fresh garlic, and vibrant spinach are simmered in a rich cream sauce, making this an easy yet indulgent meal everyone will love.
Ingredients
-
12 oz (340 g) rigatoni pasta
-
12 oz (340 g) chicken or beef sausage, sliced or crumbled
-
2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
-
1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
-
4 cloves garlic, minced
-
2 cups (480 ml) chicken broth
-
1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
-
3 cups (90 g) fresh spinach leaves
-
½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan-style cheese
-
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
-
½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
-
½ teaspoon black pepper
-
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
-
Heat a large deep skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil or butter. Once hot, add the sliced or crumbled sausage and cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through. Remove sausage from pan and set aside.
-
In the same pan, add diced onion. Cook for 2–3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
-
Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir to combine and bring to a gentle simmer. Add rigatoni pasta, making sure it is mostly submerged in the liquid.
-
Cover pan with a lid and simmer for 12–15 minutes, stirring every few minutes to prevent sticking, until pasta is tender and sauce has thickened.
-
Return cooked sausage to the pan. Stir in fresh spinach and cook for 1–2 minutes until wilted.
-
Reduce heat to low and stir in grated Parmesan-style cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir until cheese melts and sauce is smooth and creamy.
-
Serve immediately, garnished with extra cheese or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if desired.
Notes
-
Use a wide, deep skillet for even cooking and to prevent sticking.
-
Stir the pasta occasionally while simmering to avoid clumping.
-
If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of chicken broth to loosen it.
-
For extra richness, add 2 more tablespoons of Parmesan-style cheese.
-
You can add other vegetables like mushrooms or bell peppers for extra flavor and color.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes