A warm plate of 30-minute creamy sausage rigatoni is just what you need to beat the January blues. Christmas and the New Year have come and gone, and now it’s time to get back to normal life. Bleh. Sometimes January can seem so bleak after a season of such rich celebration. But to ease the transition and give you something yummy to look forward to, I’m sharing this recipe for 30-minute creamy sausage rigatoni. It can it all be made in one pan! Less dishes, more time, and a delicious dinner are my kind of resolutions!
One-pan meals not only save time and effort but also make cleaning up a breeze. This recipe, in particular, is perfect for those hectic evenings when you want something hearty and satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen.
Making the 30-Minute Creamy Sausage Rigatoni
This 30-minute creamy sausage rigatoni is as easy as it is delicious. With just a few simple steps, you’ll have a comforting, flavor-packed dinner ready in no time. Let’s get started!
Step 1: Sauté the Italian Sausage
Start a pot of salted water boiling for 1 pound of rigatoni and cook it according to the package directions while you make the sauce. Meanwhile, the first step to this super easy 30-minute creamy sausage rigatoni is to sauté a pound of Italian sausage in a large skillet. Chop up an Anaheim chile (removing the seeds) and sauté it with the sausage. Cook the sausage on medium heat until the meat is no longer pink. When the meat is about done, put in a tablespoon of minced garlic and sauté it about 30 seconds.
Love creamy pasta, hate the pile of pots?
Heidi's chicken alfredo comes in its own baking dish.
Step 2: Add Pasta Sauce and Cream Cheese
Now, add a 24 oz jar of your favorite pasta sauce to the skillet with the cooked sausage. I usually use my own jarred marinara sauce that I preserve from our garden in the summer, but if that is not available, I prefer Prego brand. The key is to choose a sauce with flavors you love since it will form the base of this dish. Stir the sauce into the sausage mixture until everything is evenly combined and heated through.
Next, add in 8 ounces of cream cheese, cutting it into smaller chunks to help it melt faster. This step is where the magic happens, as the cream cheese blends with the pasta sauce to create a rich and creamy texture that takes this dish to the next level. Keep stirring as the cream cheese melts to ensure a smooth and luscious sauce.
Step 3: Stir the Sauce Until Creamy
Turn the heat to low and stir the creamy sauce for about 3 to 5 minutes. All the cream cheese should melt and turn the sauce an orange color. Drain the cooked rigatoni, pour it into the skillet, and stir everything together until all the noodles are coated.
Step 4: Add Basil and Parmesan Cheese
For a little extra color and flavor, stir in a couple tablespoons of freshly diced basil and 1/4 cup of shredded Parmesan cheese. I love how this 30-minute creamy sausage rigatoni never left the pan! It makes it so easy to clean up after dinner.
Why 30-Minute Creamy Sausage Rigatoni Works for Family Dinners
This 30-minute creamy sausage rigatoni is a great meal to make and leave on the stove for your family to help themselves. Nowadays, with sports, ballet practice, and differing work schedules, a lot of families prefer these types of meals because they can feed a crowd on a budget and be reheated easily.
Sausage rigatoni is also super delicious and the epitome of comfort food! I haven’t met a kid or adult who doesn’t like it! Try it tonight and let me know what you think!
Need some more 30-minute meals or one-pot dishes? I think you might like spicy shrimp fried rice, chicken and black bean fajitas, or one-pot spinach pasta bake. There are even more ideas on my recipe index or Pinterest Boards. Please feel free to follow one or all. Happy cooking y’all!
30-Minute Creamy Sausage Rigatoni
Ingredients
Method
- Cook the rigatoni according to the package and drain.
- Meanwhile, sauté the sausage and chopped Anaheim chile in a large skillet over medium heat until the meat is no longer pink. Add the garlic and cook 30 seconds.
- Stir in the jar of pasta sauce until combined and heated through.
- Add the cream cheese chunks, turn the heat to low and stir 3-5 minutes until fully melted and the sauce turns orange and creamy.
- Add the rigatoni and stir until coated. Stir in the basil and Parmesan and serve.
