Prepare to embark on a culinary journey that transforms a simple pasta dish into a restaurant-worthy masterpiece! This Weight Watchers-friendly Rigatoni with Creamy Sausage Sauce is not just a meal, it's an experience that combines rich, bold flavors with a surprisingly light touch. Imagine twirling your fork into perfectly cooked rigatoni, enveloped in a luxurious, velvety sauce that's packed with savory Italian sausage and a hint of Parmesan – all without the guilt!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 12 ounces rigatoni pasta
- 1 pound Italian sausage, removed from casing
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water and add a generous pinch of salt. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat.
- Add rigatoni pasta to boiling water and cook according to package instructions, typically 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water before draining.
- While pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Remove Italian sausage from its casing and add to the skillet.
- Break sausage into small crumbles using a wooden spoon, cooking until browned and no longer pink, approximately 6-7 minutes.
- Reduce heat to medium and add minced garlic to the sausage. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
- Pour heavy cream into the skillet, stirring to combine with sausage. Simmer for 3-4 minutes until sauce begins to thicken.
- Add grated Parmesan cheese to the sauce, stirring continuously to create a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Drain cooked pasta and add directly to the sausage cream sauce. Toss to coat evenly, using reserved pasta water if sauce seems too thick.
- Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Plate the pasta and garnish with fresh chopped basil leaves. Serve immediately while hot.
Tips
- • Always reserve some pasta water before draining – it's liquid gold for creating the perfect sauce consistency! • Break the sausage into small, uniform crumbles for even cooking and better sauce distribution. • Use fresh garlic and avoid burning it to maintain a sweet, aromatic flavor. • For extra richness, let the cream sauce simmer and reduce slightly before adding cheese. • Toss the pasta in the sauce immediately after cooking to help it absorb maximum flavor. • Garnish with fresh basil just before serving to add a bright, fresh note to the dish. • If you want to make it lighter, consider using half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 857kcal
Carbohydrates: 64g
Protein: 37g
Fat: 52g
Saturated Fat: 25g
Cholesterol: 148mg
