Spicy Sausage Rigatoni Pasta (Print-Friendly Format)

Tender rigatoni with spicy sausage, vegetables, and rich tomato sauce, topped with Parmesan and fresh herbs.

# Required Ingredients:

→ Aromatics and Vegetables

01 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
02 - 1–2 cloves garlic, minced
03 - 0.5 yellow onion, minced
04 - 2 stalks celery, minced
05 - 2 medium carrots, minced

→ Protein and Spice Blend

06 - 340 grams spicy Italian sausage, casings removed
07 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
08 - 0.5 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
09 - 1.5 teaspoons fine sea salt
10 - 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper

→ Sauce Base

11 - 120 millilitres dry red wine
12 - 1 can (790 grams) San Marzano tomatoes with juices
13 - 60 millilitres balsamic or Italian dressing (optional)

→ Pasta & Finish

14 - 300–340 grams dried rigatoni
15 - Parmesan cheese, for garnish
16 - Fresh basil, for garnish

# How to Make It:

01 - Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic, onion, celery, and carrots. Sauté for approximately 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables become very soft.
02 - Add the ground spicy Italian sausage to the skillet along with dried oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Cook, breaking up the meat, until the sausage is fully browned.
03 - Pour in the red wine, stirring to deglaze and loosen any caramelized bits. Allow the wine to simmer and reduce for 1–2 minutes. Add the San Marzano tomatoes with their juices and the optional balsamic or Italian dressing. Stir to combine. Reduce the heat and simmer for 20–30 minutes, uncovered, until the sauce has thickened slightly.
04 - Meanwhile, cook the rigatoni in a large pot of salted boiling water according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain well, reserving a small amount of cooking water if desired.
05 - Fold the cooked pasta into the sauce, tossing gently to ensure even coating. The mixture should be saucy but not overly runny. Transfer to a large serving dish and garnish generously with Parmesan cheese and fresh basil. Serve immediately, accompanied by extra wine if desired.

# Additional Information:

01 - For an extra layer of flavour, add the pasta directly to the sauce with a splash of cooking water to help the sauce adhere.
02 - Using high-quality canned San Marzano tomatoes yields a richer and sweeter sauce.

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