Creamy Hot Italian Sausage Pasta with Rigatoni
Quick, easy, creamy, and unforgettable pasta dinner experience are some words that come to mind when I think about my hot Italian sausage pasta recipe! It is so simple to make yet cozy and hearty! Perfect for Sunday dinner, quick weekday dinner, and special occasions. This Sausage pasta became famous on TikTok, and I’m here for it! Making this pasta dish is a breeze. It requires a few ingredients – pasta (rigatoni), hot Italian sausage, heavy creamy, tomato paste, onions, olive oil, etc.
Hot Italian Sausage Pasta Recipe Without Cheese!
Want a winning pasta dish that will have your whole family scraping up that last little bit of sauce in a frenzy? Then you need my creamy hot Italian sausage dish. It is quick, easy, “lighter,” and creamy and will leave you with an unforgettable pasta dinner experience! Though you can use any type of pasta, I used rigatoni. The best part is that this meal satisfies on so many levels, and it takes no time at all to whip up for any night of the week. Making this pasta meal is a breeze. It requires a few ingredients – pasta (rigatoni), hot Italian sausage, heavy creamy, tomato paste, onions, olive oil, etc. Sausage pasta is an excellent, effortless dinner idea that will wow guests. It’s also perfect for Sunday dinners and the holidays! Also, it is fantastic for special occasions such as Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, Birthdays, or Valentine’s Day!
Did I mention that I didn’t use cheese in this pasta recipe? Oh yes, this pasta dish doesn’t require it! Not adding cheese to this hot Italian sausage pasta dish somewhat lightens it up, removing the heaviness and calories of cheese. One more thing you don’t have to worry about, LOL. Having said that, you do you, and feel free to sprinkle a bit of parmesan when you serve if you desire. Check out my other pasta recipes without cheese, creamy shrimp spaghetti alfredo, and tomato chicken pasta.
20-Minute Sausage Pasta Dinner (TikTok Viral Recipe)
Listen, when it comes to food trends on TikTok, it rarely misses and I’m here for it! This viral TikTok recipe is currently one of our go-to easy family dinner recipes as a busy family. It is so quick to make and super finger-licking delicious! It cooks in no time and is so full of flavors. I know that all of my friends are going to love this tasty dish!
I love hopping on TikTok to see what’s trending, especially food! If you are ever on TikTok, let’s connect! Check out my other TikTok viral recipes, such as chocolate-baked oats, nature’s cereal, and pasta chips. If you’ve prepped all your ingredients, this dish cooks in less than 20 minutes! YUM!
What Type of Pasta Would Be Best for Sausage Pasta?
Honestly, you can make this creamy hot Italian sausage pasta with any pasta you have on hand, though it will be best with rigatoni or another tube shape. The sauce just gets all in there, maximizing the flavors in every bite.
Why You Will Love This Easy Hot Italian Sausage Pasta:
- It only takes 20 – 25 minutes to make.
- Your whole family will love it.
- There is SO much flavor.
- This dish has no cheese, though you can always grate some fresh parmesan on top if you so desire.
- You can even make this when serving dinner guests for a hearty, scrumptious meal that no one will be able to resist.
- Cozy and hearty dinner recipe for the whole family!
- It is perfect for beginner cooks.
Ingredients for Hot Italian Sausage Pasta Without Cheese:
- Rigatoni pasta. Also, I used Walmart brand rigatoni that I have in my pantry.
- Hot Italian sausage links
- Heavy cream
- Tomato paste
- Onion – I used an entire medium size onion bulb. Onion is very essential for this dish!
- Fresh garlic – ensure to use fresh garlic. Store-bought minced garlic will not cut it!
- Olive oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Crushed red pepper
- Knorr bouillon (optional but recommended)
How to Make the Tastiest Hot Italian Sausage Pasta (Step-by-Step):
This hot Italian sausage pasta is truly one of the fastest, most delicious dishes you can make on a weeknight. These step-by-step instructions will help you get it on the table in just 20 minutes!
- Gather and Prep
The best way to get started is to gather everything you need and do the prep work first. Cut your sausages and onions, and grate or mince your fresh garlic.
- Cook the Sausage
Once you have everything together, put oil in a pan and heat it on your stove. Once hot, add your cut sausage pieces, cooking on both sides until done and it is no longer pink. Set it aside in a bowl.
- Boil the Pasta According to the Package instructions
As you get ready to make your sauce, set a pot of water on the stove to boil your pasta. Add salt and the rigatoni pasta when your water boils, and cook until almost done or al dente. Ensure to cook your pasta according to the directions on the box.
- Make the Sauce
In the same pot you used to make the sausage, use that leftover oil to cook the onions and garlic until they soften. Add your black pepper, crushed red pepper, salt, and the Knorr bouillon, then the tomato paste, and keep stirring. Once the tomato paste has cooked a few minutes, add the heavy cream. Reduce the heat and simmer over low, giving a taste and adjusting the flavors if needed
- Combine and Serve
Add the sausage back to the pot of sauce (reserving a few for topping) and simmer for a few minutes. Then add your cooked pasta. Combine, and then serve hot or warm! Remember to top it with the remaining sausages and garnish it as you wish! Enjoy!
Recipe Notes and Tips for the Best Sausage Pasta Recipe:
- Ensure that you use fresh garlic for this recipe to maximize flavors!
- Make sure you salt your pasta water once it starts boiling before cooking your pasta.
- When combining the sausage and pasta in the sauce, turn the heat off completely or to the lowest.
- Garnish it with fresh or dry parsley to really make it pop. I used dry today, which I had in my pantry.
- Use half and half if you don’t have heavy cream.
How to Store Leftovers:
My family usually gobbles the whole thing up, but if you have leftovers, you will be thrilled to enjoy them for lunch the next day. This keeps in your fridge for up to 4 days. You can freeze it too for meal prep if you prefer for up to 3 months.
Recipe Variations and Substitutions for Hot Italian Sausage Pasta:
- While we love this with hot Italian sausage, if you don’t like spicy, feel free to use sweet Italian sausage or a mild Italian sausage variety.
- If you want to make this cheesy, add freshly grated parmesan or mozzarella. The sauce is perfectly creamy and delightful, even without cheese, though.
- Use more crushed red pepper for a spicier flavor.
Sausage Pasta FAQs
This simple, satisfying dish is hearty and balanced. However, you can serve hot Italian sausage pasta with mushrooms, broccoli, green beans, and salad. Bread or honey butter rolls also make a great accompaniment.
Yes, you should cook your sausage before adding it to the sauce. This gives the dish more flavor and ensures the sausage cooks fully.
Simply slice your sausages into circles. You can cut them smaller than that if you prefer.
Sausages aren’t the healthiest choice, but as long as you’re not eating them every day, it’s fine to eat them. Balance is always the key, and by choosing veggie sides to go along with it, you’ll easily harmonize your meal.
Recipe Card:
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Creamy Hot Italian Sausage Pasta with Rigatoni
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
Quick, easy, creamy, and unforgettable pasta dinner experience are some words that come to mind when I think about my hot Italian sausage pasta recipe! It is so simple to make yet cozy and hearty! Perfect for Sunday dinner, quick weekday dinner, and as well for guests. This Sausage pasta became famous on TikTok, and I’m here for it! Making this pasta dish is a breeze. It requires a few ingredients – pasta (rigatoni), hot Italian sausage, heavy creamy, tomato paste, onions, olive oil, etc.
Ingredients
- 1 Pack/1 lb/16 0z of rigatoni pasta (I used the Walmart brand in my pantry). However, you can also use any other type of pasta even though I think “tube” pasta will be best for this recipe.
- 1 Pack of Hot Italian Sausage (6 sausage links)
- 3/4 Cup heavy cream
- 2 Tablespoons of tomato paste
- 1 medium-sized onion bulb
- 3 – 4 cloves fresh garlic
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- Salt to taste (about 1/2 teaspoon), plus additional salt for cooking the pasta.
- Black pepper (about 1/2 teaspoon)
- Crushed red pepper (about 1/2 – 1 teaspoon)
- 1 Teaspoon Knorr bouillon (optional but recommended)
- Fresh or dry parsley
Instructions
- Gather and Prep. The best way to get started is to gather everything you need and do the prep work first. Cut your sausages. Dice the onions, and grate or mince your fresh garlic.
- Cook the Sausage. Once you have everything together, put oil in a pan and heat it on your stove. Once hot, add your cut sausage pieces, cooking on both sides until done and it is no longer pink. Set it aside in a bowl.
- Boil the Pasta According to the Package instructions. As you get ready to make your sauce, set a pot of water on the stove to boil your pasta. Add about 2 teaspoons – 1 tablespoon salt and the rigatoni pasta when your water boils, and cook until almost done or al dente. Ensure to cook your pasta according to the directions on the box. I always recommend cooking pasta in salted water.
- Make the Sauce. In the same pot you used to make the sausage, use that leftover oil to cook the onions and garlic until they soften. Add your black pepper, crushed red pepper, salt, and the Knorr bouillon, then the tomato paste, and keep stirring. Once the tomato paste has cooked a few minutes, add the heavy cream. Reduce the heat and simmer over low, giving a taste and adjusting the flavors if needed.
- Combine and Serve. Add the sausage back to the sauce pot (reserving a few for topping) and simmer for a few minutes. Then add your cooked pasta. Combine, and then serve hot or warm! Remember to top it with the remaining sausages and garnish it as you wish! Enjoy!
Notes
Please dice the onions or cut them really small.
Ensure that you use fresh garlic for this recipe to maximize flavors!
Make sure you salt your pasta water once it starts boiling before cooking your pasta.
When combining the sausage and pasta in the sauce, turn the heat off completely or to the lowest.
Garnish it with fresh or dry parsley to really make it pop. I used dry today, which I had in my pantry.
Use half and half if you don’t have heavy cream.
What to Serve with Sausage Rigatoni Pasta:
- Sliced Air Fryer Mushrooms
- Air Fried Green Beans with Garlic Butter
- Roasted Broccoli
- Walnut Blue Cheese Salad
Check Out Other Viral TikTok Recipes:
More Pasta Recipes To Try:
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THANKS FOR STOPPING BY! Stay well, safe and keep living your life to the fullest!
What a creamy pasta! Needed a dish to take to a work lunch, and this is heading in today for the team! Yum!!!
Nice. Glad you liked this recipe!
This pasta dish was such a fun way to mix things up. My family loved the extra kick from the spicy sausage.
Thank you for your feedback, Paula! Glad your family loved it!
I made this pasta for dinner last night and it was delicious! Perfectly creamy and spicy!
Good to know, Tayler!
The spiciness of the sausage for amazing dish really put it over the top. I loved it so much!
Woohoo! Thanks for your feedback, Ned!
So good! I did sub the hot sausage for mild, but this dish was out of this world.
Mild sausage or sweet sausage are always excellent substitutions! Thanks so much for your feedback, Chenee.