A comforting and indulgent pasta dish featuring tender rigatoni, savory sausage, fresh spinach, and a creamy garlic parmesan sauce—perfect for a hearty weeknight meal.
Author:Emma Harper
Prep Time:10 minutes
Cook Time:20 minutes
Total Time:30 minutes
Yield:4 servings 1x
Category:Main Course
Method:Stovetop
Cuisine:Italian-American
Diet:Halal
Ingredients
UnitsScale
12oz rigatoni pasta
1 tablespoon olive oil
1lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy), casings removed
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
1cup heavy cream
1/2cup chicken broth
1/2cup grated Parmesan cheese
4cups fresh spinach
Salt and black pepper to taste
Fresh parsley or extra parmesan for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Cook rigatoni according to package instructions in salted water. Drain and set aside.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sausage and cook, breaking it apart, until browned and cooked through.
Add garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer and cook for 3–4 minutes.
Stir in Parmesan cheese and spinach. Cook until cheese is melted and spinach is wilted.
Add cooked rigatoni to the skillet and toss to coat evenly in the sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley or extra Parmesan if desired.
Notes
Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter version.
Substitute sausage with turkey sausage or a vegetarian alternative if preferred.
Add mushrooms or sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor and texture.