Description
This Garlic Sausage Alfredo Rigatoni is a rich and creamy pasta dish that combines perfectly cooked rigatoni with savory garlic sausage and a luscious homemade Alfredo sauce. Enhanced with fresh garlic, Parmesan, and a hint of crushed red pepper flakes, this comforting Italian-American recipe is quick to prepare and sure to please any pasta lover.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz rigatoni pasta
Sausage and Aromatics
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb garlic sausage, sliced or removed from casing
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Sauce
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- Salt to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Garnish
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rigatoni according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Brown the sausage: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic sausage and cook until browned and cooked through, about 6–8 minutes.
- Sauté garlic and butter: Add the minced garlic and butter to the skillet and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
- Make the Alfredo sauce: Reduce the heat to medium-low, then pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in the Parmesan cheese, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Let the sauce simmer for 3–5 minutes, stirring often, until slightly thickened.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked rigatoni to the skillet and toss to coat in the Alfredo sauce. Simmer for 1–2 minutes more until everything is well combined and heated through.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from heat and garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving hot.
Notes
- You can substitute garlic sausage with Italian sausage and add a clove or two of extra garlic for enhanced flavor.
- For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, though the sauce will be thinner.
- Be careful not to overcook the pasta to maintain a firm texture that holds up to the sauce.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper according to your preference.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 670
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 41g
- Saturated Fat: 21g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 130mg
