Rigatoni and sausage in a tomato cream sauce with white wine, cream, garlic, onions and red pepper flakes. Such a delicious comfort food dinner.
Rigatoni noodles have slight ridges in them. These ridges help the sauce to adhere to the noodle.
And, this is a very good thing in this recipe, because the tomato cream sauce is Ahhhhmazing……
White wine, tomato paste, heavy cream, half and half, and minced garlic come together beautifully to form a creamy, very flavorful mixture with the pasta.
Is Rigatoni a Macaroni?
Macaroni is just another shape of pasta. Rigatoni is larger than elbow macaroni and it has ridges in it.
Are Rigatoni and Ziti the same?
Ziti is more of a long narrow tube shaped noodle, rather than a shorter, wider noodle like rigatoni.
Can I use Rigatoni for Baked Ziti?
Yes! Since they are both tube shaped pastas, the sauce and cheese will fill the rigatoni noodle as well as the ziti noodle.
We LOVED this dish. Hope you enjoy it as well!!
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SAVE THIS RIGATONI AND SAUSAGE WITH TOMATO CREAM SAUCE RECIPE TO YOUR “PASTA” PINTEREST BOARD!
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Rigatoni and Sausage with Tomato Cream Sauce
Rigatoni and sausage in a tomato cream sauce is one of our favorite pasta dishes. This is also on our favorite comfort foods and dinners lists.
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cups chopped fennel bulb
- 1 1/2 cups chopped yellow onion (1 large onion)
- 1 1/2 lbs mild Italian sausage (ground or whole sausage with casing removed)
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 1/2 tsp crushed whole fennel seeds
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp freshly ground pepper
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2/3 cup half and half
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 lb rigatoni
- 1/2 cup chopped parsley leaves
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
Over medium heat, heat olive oil in a dutch oven. Add the chopped fennel and onion and saute, stirring occasionally for 7 minutes, until tender.
Add the sausage to the dutch oven and break up with a wooden spoon. Cook for about 8 minutes, until sausage is browned, breaking up the meat and stirring occasionally. Add the garlic, crushed fennel seeds, red pepper flakes, salt and black pepper, and let cook for 1 minutes.
Pour in the white wine, and bring to a boil. Then add in the heavy cream, half and half, and tomato paste. Bring mixture back to a boil. Lower heat and let mixture simmer for 20 minutes, until the sauce has thickened.
While sausage and sauce is simmering, boil water, add 2 tablespoons salt, and cook rigatoni according to package instructions (usually 10 minutes in boiling water).
Drain noodles, and add to the sauce, stir to coat the pasta. Remove dutch oven from heat and stir in parsley and parmesan cheese. Serve immediately. Oh my goodness, so good!!
Recipe Notes
Adapted from Ina Garten on Food Network
rigatoni
Michael
April 3, 2019 at 10:23 pmI am back to your site to write this recipe down and add to my recipe box. This a compliment as I rarely do this. I made this dish a few days ago for my children, and they loved it! Thank you for a delicious recipe!
Michael recently posted…11 Fennel Substitutes You Already Have in Your Kitchen
The Head Spoon
April 3, 2019 at 11:10 pmI’m so glad you enjoyed it! 🙂 Thank you so much for stopping by.
The Head Spoon recently posted…Homemade Toffee
Jeff Shft
January 6, 2019 at 2:12 pmWe shared this rigatoni and sausage dish this holiday season. Everyone in the family loves it! Every bite burst with happiness, it’s like the heaven opened its gates. This is so good, so thumbs up!
The Head Spoon
January 7, 2019 at 7:59 amThank you so much for checking in. Your comment just made my day! So glad you enjoyed this dish. Happy New Year!
The Head Spoon recently posted…Strawberry Cake
Jennifer Berkey
January 1, 2019 at 12:22 amI am loving this rigatoni and sausage recipe. I made it this New Year’s Eve Party celebration. My family loves it and they won’t stop eating. Thanks for this. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Xoxo.
The Head Spoon
January 2, 2019 at 10:40 pmYour comment is such a great way to start the New Year – thank you so much for checking in. I’m so glad your family enjoyed the pasta. I love the tomato cream sauce in this recipe too. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you too!
The Head Spoon recently posted…Strawberry Cake