Creamy Turkey Sausage Rigatoni Recipe
This creamy rigatoni pasta recipe features tender rigatoni noodles tossed in a savory sauce made from ground turkey sausage, garlic, crushed tomatoes, heavy cream, and fresh basil. It's a quick, flavorful dish perfect for a weeknight dinner, with a rich blend of Italian seasonings and a Parmesan garnish to elevate the taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Pasta and Pasta Water
- 12 ounces rigatoni pasta
- 1/2 cup pasta water (reserved)
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 pound ground turkey sausage
- 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup fresh chopped basil, plus more for garnish
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Garnish
- Shredded Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rigatoni pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water before draining to use later for the sauce.
- Prepare Garlic and Seasoning: While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium-low heat. Add the minced garlic and Italian seasoning, cooking while stirring constantly for 30 to 60 seconds. Be careful not to let the garlic brown or burn, as this will add bitterness.
- Cook the Sausage: Increase the heat to medium-high and add the ground turkey sausage to the pan. Use a spatula to crumble the sausage as it cooks. Continue cooking until the sausage is browned and cooked through.
- Add Tomato and Cream Sauce: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, heavy cream, and fresh chopped basil. Season with kosher salt and black pepper to taste. Reduce the heat and cook the sauce for a few minutes until it is warmed through and well combined.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the drained rigatoni to the sauté pan with the sauce. Pour in a splash of the reserved pasta water to help loosen and evenly coat the pasta. Toss everything together gently to combine and ensure each piece of rigatoni is covered in the creamy sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Plate the pasta and garnish with additional fresh basil leaves and a generous sprinkling of shredded Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious creamy rigatoni pasta.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water before draining; it helps to adjust the sauce consistency and helps it cling to the pasta.
- Do not brown the garlic; cook it lightly to avoid bitterness.
- You can substitute ground turkey sausage with Italian pork sausage if preferred.
- Add extra basil on top for a fresh herbal aroma and flavor.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best taste and texture.
Find it online: https://recipeplenty.com/creamy-turkey-sausage-rigatoni-recipe/
