Description
A comforting and delicious pasta dish featuring Italian sausage, fresh spinach, and a creamy tomato sauce that is easy to make and a family favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces rigatoni pasta
- 1 pound Italian sausage (sweet or spicy)
- 3 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes (with juices)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the rigatoni: In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the rigatoni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Brown the sausage: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon, about 5-7 minutes. If there’s excess grease, you can remove it.
- Add spinach and garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and chopped spinach. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the spinach wilts and the garlic is fragrant.
- Make the cream sauce: Add the diced tomatoes (with their juices) and heavy cream to the skillet. Stir to combine, then bring to a simmer. Allow the sauce to thicken slightly for 3-4 minutes. Mix in the grated Parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine and serve: Add the cooked rigatoni to the skillet, tossing to coat the pasta evenly with the creamy sauce. Cook for another minute to ensure everything is warmed through.
Notes
This dish can be customized by adding different vegetables or using spicy sausage for an extra kick. Ensure to cook pasta al dente for the best texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg