One Pot Creamy Sausage Rigatoni

Rich and flavorful, our recipe for one-pot creamy sausage rigatoni is the perfect hot meal for your next busy weeknight. In twenty minutes or less, you can have this delicious meal on the table. Reheat individual portions in the microwave fast for an easy lunch at work.

Pasta dishes are one of my favorite things to make ahead and freeze. For this recipe, the pasta itself is made fresh on the day the dish is served, but the components of the sauce are all cooked, mixed, and frozen so that they are ready to go. This allows you to get food to the table so fast! I love every recipe in our Dinner in 20 Freezer Stack, so be sure to check it out.

You might also enjoy this Sausage and Gnocchi Skillet Freezer Meal or a Spinach and Sausage Pasta Bake.

One Pot Creamy Sausage Rigatoni Recipe

Ingredients

• 15 oz. ground Italian sausage, browned
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
• 15 fl. oz. tomato sauce, red sauce or pasta sauce
• Salt & pepper to taste
• Red pepper flakes

Ingredient for Day of Cooking

• 2 cups rigatoni
• 5 oz. fresh spinach

How to Make Creamy Sausage Rigatoni

Assembly Instructions

1. Place all ingredients except rigatoni and spinach in a large freezer bag.
2. Squish gently to mix.
3. Remove excess air, seal & freeze.

Cooking Instructions

1. Place the bag in the fridge overnight to thaw.
2. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
3. Add pasta.
4. Cover and cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring frequently.
5. Add fresh spinach and allow to wilt.

Can Creamy Sausage Rigatoni be Gluten-Free?

To make this dish gluten-free, be sure to check the labels for the pasta sauce and the sausage, and, of course, use gluten-free pasta. You may need to adjust the amount of pasta or add some additional liquid when using gluten free pasta so play around and find what works best.

What is in Italian Seasoning?

This blend of spices usually includes thyme, basil, oregano, garlic powder, rosemary, black pepper, and parsley.

What kind of sausage should I use?

Ground Italian sausage comes in varying heat levels, and you can pick your favorite! If you aren’t a fan, you can even use ground beef.

Creamy Sausage Rigatoni Recipe Ideas

To extend this dish for another serving, add a half cup of extra pasta. The sauce will stretch. You may need to add a small amount of water or extra chicken broth to the pot to replace what is absorbed by the extra pasta.

A sprinkling of shredded parmesan, romano, or an Italian cheese blend is the perfect finishing touch for creamy sausage rigatoni.

This beautiful dish will work with almost any kind of pasta. It doesn’t have to be rigatoni. While we love the way rigatoni carries the sauce, you can definitely use what you have on hand.

Instead of spinach, you could use chopped kale in this recipe.

Add diced zucchini, yellow squash, or mushrooms on the day of cooking to bump up the veggie content if you like.

How do I store Creamy Sausage Rigatoni?

You can keep leftovers of this dish in the refrigerator in an airtight container for a few days. To reheat individual servings, microwave for a minute or two. Multiple servings can be reheated all at once in a skillet.

What to Serve with Creamy Sausage Rigatoni

This one-pot meal can be served on its own or with side dishes. A nice fresh leafy salad is the perfect contrast to the rich and flavorful rigatoni recipe. I love grabbing bagged salads at the beginning of the week to enjoy with our freezer meal dinners all week long. It’s a nice way to freshen things up! Roasted Brussels sprouts, green beans, asparagus, or broccoli would also work. Enjoy garlic bread, crusty French bread, or ciabatta on the side.

Print

Creamy Sausage Rigatoni

Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

20 mins

Total Time

39 mins

 

Servings: 4

Calories: 724 kcal

Ingredients

• 15 oz ground Italian sausage, browned
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 15 fl oz tomato sauce, red sauce or pasta sauce
• salt & pepper, to taste
• red pepper flakes, to taste

Instructions

Assembly Instructions

1. Place all ingredients except rigatoni and spinach in a large freezer bag.

2. Squish gently to mix.

3. Remove excess air, seal & freeze.

Cooking Instructions

1. Place the bag in the fridge overnight to thaw.

2. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.

3. Add pasta.

4. Cover and cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring frequently.

5. Add fresh spinach and allow to wilt.