This Smoked Sausage Pasta is a hearty and flavorful dish that comes together in under 30 minutes. With smoky sausage, tender rigatoni and a rich tomato cream sauce, this is a simple weeknight dinner that is also very comforting. Finished with parmesan cheese and fresh parsley, this is sure to become a family favorite for pasta nights!
The recipe starts by browning smoked sausage and sautéing bell peppers and garlic to create a flavorful base. The creamy sauce is made with crushed tomatoes, a little bit of crushed red pepper, heavy cream, and parmesan cheese and then combined with the sausage and rigatoni pasta. You will appreciate this one pan meal that's easy to prepare and clean up.
Serve this great dish on busy weeknights or for casual gatherings when you need something quick, hearty and satisfying! This one the whole family will love.
If you are looking for more pasta recipes, check out our: Chicken and Vodka Pasta, Creamy Sausage Pasta, Pink Pasta, Chicken and Sausage Pasta, or Gouda Mac and Cheese.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
Quick - This great recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, coming together in under 30 minutes. While the pasta boils, you can make the most of your time by browning the sausage and sautéing the vegetables. The sauce is ready and simmering just as the pasta finishes, making for a quick and easy meal!
Simple - This easy dinner recipe is a breeze to make with just a handful of ingredients. It’s simple, straightforward and perfect for the next time you want a quick meal without a lot of fuss.
Comforting - This dish is pure comfort with its creamy tomato sauce that coats the rigatoni perfectly. The smoky sausage gives it a savory little kick and the parmesan and parsley just tie it all together. It's a cozy and satisfying meal that is sure to hit the spot at your dinner table!
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you will need for this creamy smoked sausage pasta:
- Smoked sausage
- Rigatoni
- Olive oil: Regular olive oil, not extra virgin olive oil.
- Red bell pepper: Use one diced red bell pepper.
- Garlic: Use four freshly minced garlic cloves for the best flavor. I recommend using real garlic and not garlic powder in this recipe.
- Crushed tomatoes: You could use tomato sauce as a substitute if needed.
- Onion powder
- Crushed red pepper flakes
- Salt & black pepper
- Heavy cream: You could use tomato sauce as a substitute if needed.
- Parmesan cheese: Use grated parmesan cheese.
- Italian parsley: Also known as flat leaf parsley.
How to Make Smoked Sausage Pasta
Let's make this easy recipe together!
Step 1: Heat a large pot of salted water over medium heat until boiling. Cook the rigatoni until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Step 2: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage and cook for 1 minute per side, or until browned. Remove the sausage from the pan and set aside.
Step 3: Add the olive oil and red bell pepper to the pan. Sauté until softened and then add the garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
Step 4: Add the crushed tomatoes, onion powder, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Stir well and bring to a simmer.
Step 5: Add the cream and parmesan cheese. Stir well.
Step 6: Add the sausage and drained pasta and toss to combine. Top with parmesan cheese and parsley. Serve and enjoy!
Expert Tips and Tricks
Here are some expert tips to make this easy weeknight dinner recipe:
Use any pasta - While rigatoni is great for holding the sauce, you can swap it for whatever pasta you have on hand, like penne or fusilli.
Spice level - Add more crushed red pepper if you prefer more heat or reduce the amount for a milder flavor.
Cook pasta al dente - Cook the rigatoni until al dente, following the package directions. This keeps the pasta firm enough to hold its shape and prevents it from getting mushy when mixed with the sauce.
Meal prep - This dish reheats well, so it's great for meal prepping or leftovers the next day. Just keep a little extra cream or broth handy to loosen the sauce when reheating, if you prefer.
Kitchen Equipment
Here is some kitchen equipment you will need for this delicious meal. You can find all of these products on Amazon.
Pasta Pot - This pasta pot is great for any pasta lover! I use mine multiple times a week and it never fails me.
Sauté pan - You'll want a high quality large skillet with enough room to toss the sauce with the pasta.
Recipe Substitutions/Variations
Here are some common recipe substitutions and variations for this tasty dinner:
Rigatoni - Try penne, bowtie, or any other pasta shape if you don’t have rigatoni.
Parmesan cheese - Use pecorino romano or asiago in place of parmesan, or skip the cheese for a lighter version.
Additions - You can toss in extra veggies like fresh spinach, zucchini, or fresh mushrooms to make it heartier and sneak in more nutrients.
What To Serve With
Here are some recipes to serve alongside this sausage pasta recipe:
Easy Garlic Bread - This recipe is so easy. It takes less than 20 minutes to make and it comes out great every single time. Garlic, butter and bread never lets you down, right?
Crunchy Winter Kale and Pomegranate Salad Recipe - This crunchy winter Kale and Pomegranate Salad is a simple and impressive dish that is great for any occasion.
Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Carrots - This Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Carrots recipe brings together the natural sweetness of root vegetables with the flavors of rosemary, thyme, and garlic.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can use any smoked sausage you like for this recipe! Andouille sausage adds a nice spicy kick, while kielbasa offers a milder, slightly sweet flavor. You could also try chicken or turkey sausage for a lighter option. Just pick your favorite type of sausage, and it’ll work great!
Yes, you can make this ahead of time and reheat it! The pasta will keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days. When reheating, add a splash of cream, milk or chicken broth to loosen up the sauce and keep it creamy. You can warm it up on the stovetop or in the microwave, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating.
To thicken the sauce, you can let it simmer a bit longer to reduce and naturally become richer. Adding extra parmesan cheese is another simple way to give the sauce more body while boosting its flavor. Both options will help you achieve a thicker and creamier consistency!
Recipe Storage and Reheating
Here are storage and reheating instructions for this tasty pasta dish.
Refrigerator Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container and eat within 4-5 days.
Freezer Storage: Freeze in a freezer-safe, airtight container and keep for up to 3 months. When you're ready to use, thaw in the refrigerator and reheat as instructed below.
Reheating Instructions: The best way to reheat this recipe is to heat in a skillet with a little olive oil over low heat until warm.
Other Recipes to Try
Creamy Smoked Sausage Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 oz smoked sausage sliced
- 1 lb rigatoni
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup parmesan cheese plus more for serving
- Italian parsley for serving
Instructions
- Heat a large pot of salted boiling water over medium heat. When boiling, add rigatoni and cook until al dente according to package directions, then drain and set aside.
- Meanwhile, a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced smoked sausage and cook for 1 minute per side, until browned. Remove from pan and set aside.
- Add olive oil and red bell pepper to the pan. Sauté until softened, then add garlic. Sauté for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
- Add crushed tomatoes, onion powder, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper to the pan. Stir well and bring to a simmer, then add heavy cream and parmesan cheese. Stir well, then add seared smoked sausage and cooked pasta.
- Top with more parmesan cheese and Italian parsley and serve.
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