Rigatoni with Sausage and Tomato Cream Sauce

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Tubes of rigatoni hold the tomato sauce, giving you a burst of creamy flavor with every bite. Use either hot or mild Italian sausage here, depending on your preference. Plus:  More Pasta Recipes and Tips 

Rigatoni with Sausage and Tomato Cream Sauce
Photo: © Evi Abeler
Yield:
4

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • 1 1/2 pounds mild or hot Italian sausage, casings removed

  • 1 onion, chopped

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1/3 cup dry white wine

  • 1 1/2 cups canned crushed tomatoes in thick puree (from a 15-ounce can)

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper

  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

  • 1 cup light cream

  • 1 pound rigatoni

  • Grated Parmesan, for serving

Directions

  1. In a large frying pan, heat the oil over moderate heat. Add the sausage and cook, breaking up the meat with a fork, until it is no longer pink, about 5 minutes. With a slotted spoon, remove the sausage from the pan. Discard all but 1 tablespoon fat.

  2. Reduce the heat to moderately low. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the wine and cook until it almost evaporates, about 5 minutes. Stir in the sausage,tomatoes, and salt. Simmer, covered, for 10 minutes. Add the pepper, parsley, and cream.

  3. In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the rigatoni until just done, about 14 minutes. Drain the pasta and toss with the sauce. Serve with grated Parmesan.

Suggested Pairing

A Chianti Classico Riserva is the wine of choice with this dish. Look for a wine with a few years of age; it will be mellower and will complement the sauce better than a younger wine could.

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