Rigatoni with Italian Sausage
Rigatoni with Italian Sausage is a classic and delicious dish that is perfect for any occasion. It’s easy to make, packed with flavor, and sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Rigatoni is such a fun pasta shape. We love to use it because it really holds the sauce well, giving you the perfect flavorful bite. If you love rigatoni, you might also enjoy this Slow Cooker Rigatoni Chicken Alfredo or this Jalapeno Popper Chicken Pasta recipe.
Table of contents
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s bursting with flavor! The combination of rigatoni, savory Italian sausage, and a perfectly seasoned sauce makes every bite irresistible.
- It’s easy to make! This recipe comes together quickly, making it ideal for busy weeknights or when you want a comforting meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
- Family-approved! This dish is a crowd-pleaser that both kids and adults are sure to love—seconds are almost guaranteed!
🛒Ingredients
We’ve made this list to help you save time on your next trip to the grocery store. You can find the full amounts needed in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- dried rigatoni
- hot Italian sausage
- large onion
- garlic cloves
- fresh thyme
- fresh basil
- salt
- pepper
- crushed tomatoes
- sun-dried tomatoes
- shredded mozzarella cheese
- Parmesan Cheese to garnish
🔪 How to Make This Rigatoni with Italian Sausage
This is a quick overview of the steps needed to make this recipe. You can find the full instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- In a large saute pan with high sides, saute the diced onions and crumbled sausages until golden.
- Drain the grease from the pan and add in the garlic, fresh thyme, basil, salt and pepper.
- Stir and cook for about 1 minute. Add the can of crushed tomatoes and stir to combine. Lower the heat and let simmer for 20 minutes.
- Add in the cooked pasta and sun dried tomatoes and stir to coat the pasta with the sauce. Remove the thyme stems.
- Add in the cheese and stir to melt and cover all the pasta.
- Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil.
🥄 Equipment
You will need these kitchen tools to help you make this easy recipe:
- large pot
- large skillet or saute pan
🥫 Storage
Storage – If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave and enjoy!
Freezing – You can also freeze the cooked pasta and sauce in a freezer-safe container for up to three months. When ready to eat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat on the stove or in the microwave.
Reheating – To reheat the pasta and sauce, add a splash of water or broth to prevent them from drying out. Heat on medium-low, stirring occasionally, until warmed through.
Serve With
There are numerous ways to serve this simple pasta dish. We like to pair it with a simple green salad, such as this Copycat Chick-fil-a Kale Salad, and a bread side like these Homemade Garlic Breadsticks. And, you can’t forget a sweet treat like this Root Beer Pie.
💭 Tips
- For the best texture, cook your pasta al dente. This means it should be firm to the bite. Overcooking can make the dish mushy and less enjoyable.
- Reserve about a cup of the pasta cooking water before draining. The starchy water is perfect for loosening up the sauce if it gets too thick.
- Always taste the dish while cooking to adjust the seasoning as needed. Small tweaks can make a big difference!
⁉️ FAQ
Do you have questions about this rigatoni with Italian sausage recipe? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions.
Absolutely! While rigatoni works wonderfully because of its tubular shape that holds the sauce and sausage perfectly, you can experiment with other pastas like penne, ziti, or even fusilli.
If you don’t have Italian sausage on hand or are looking for a different flavor profile, you can use ground beef, turkey, or even a plant-based sausage alternative. Be sure to season well with herbs like fennel, oregano, and chili flakes to mimic the sausage’s bold, savory flavor.
Yes, this recipe is a great make-ahead option! Prepare the sauce and pasta separately, then combine just before serving. If you plan to reheat, reserve that pasta water we mentioned earlier to keep everything saucy and delicious.
🍽 More Sausage Recipes
Do you enjoy sausage recipes? If so, try these delicious recipes:
🧾Recipe Card
Want to make this recipe? Print the recipe card below, or pin this recipe, so you can find it later.
Rigatoni with Italian Sausage
Equipment
- large pot
- large skillet or saute pan
Ingredients
- 16 ounces dried rigatoni
- 1 pound hot italian sausage
- 1 large onion
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme – small bunch of stems
- 1 Tablespoon fresh basil – plus extra for garnish
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
- 3 ounces sun dried tomatoes
- 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Parmesan Cheese to garnish
Instructions
- In a large pot, boil the pasta in salted water, drain when cooked and set aside.
- In a large saute pan with high sides, saute the diced onions and crumbled sausages until golden.
- Drain the grease from the pan and add in the garlic, fresh thyme, basil, salt and pepper.
- Stir and cook for about 1 minute. Add the can of crushed tomatoes and stir to combine.
- Lower the heat and let simmer for 20 minutes.
- Add in the cooked pasta and sun dried tomatoes and stir to coat the pasta with the sauce.
- Remove the thyme stems.
- Add in the cheese and stir to melt and cover all the pasta. Serve hot.
- Garnish with freshly grated parmesan cheese and fresh basil.
Notes
Disclaimer
Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation and actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and proportion sizes.
We absolutely loved this! It’s so hearty and delicious, and I especially loved how easy it was to make.