Our Rigatoni Salsiccia recipe is a mouthwatering dish that combines al dente pasta with ground sausage, broccoli rabe, and zesty tomatoes for a truly satisfying meal.
This classic pasta dish combines pantry staples with fresh produce that comes together in just a couple of minutes to give you a delicious meal any time you need it, and I find myself reaching for easy and hearty dinners a lot.
Rigatoni alla salsiccia e panna is filled with Flavor too!
From the spicy kick of chili flakes to the richness of Parmesan cheese, every bite is a perfect blend of flavors.
And it is so fast and easy.
Even if you have been rushing around all day, this rigatoni con salsiccia recipe is perfect for busy weeknights.
It comes together quickly with just a few steps.
With fresh produce and quality sausage, you can feel good about serving this hearty pasta dish to your family, and they will ask for Rigatoni con Salsiccia again and again (even if they can’t pronounce it).
What is Rigatoni Salsiccia?
Rigatoni alla Salsiccia is a classic Italian pasta dish featuring rigatoni noodles tossed with ground sausage, broccoli rabe, tomatoes, garlic, and chili flakes.
The combination of hearty ingredients creates a flavorful meal that’s perfect for any occasion.
How do you pronounce Rigatoni Salsiccia?
Rigatoni Salsiccia is pronounced REE-ga-tone-eee sal-SEE-chah.
But no one here will be correcting you, so call it what you like in your own house.
What ingredients are in Rigatoni Salsiccia?
- Fresh Mild Italian Sausage Meat: Adds savory flavor and protein to the dish; using spicy Italian sausage will add heat too.
- Rigatoni: Large, tube-shaped pasta that holds sauces and ingredients well.
- Broccoli Rabe: Adds a slightly bitter flavor and vibrant green color to the dish.
- Tomato: Provides acidity and freshness to balance the richness of the sausage.
- Garlic: Adds depth and flavor to the sauce.
- Olive Oil: Used for sautéing ingredients.
- Chili Flakes: also called crushed red pepper flakes, these add a hint of heat and spice to the sauce.
- Parmesan Cheese: Adds nutty, salty flavor and helps bind the sauce.
- Salt and Pepper: Enhances the overall seasoning of the dish.
Pro Tips:
- Opt for rigatoni pasta for its sturdy texture, which pairs well with the hearty sauce.
- Don’t skimp on the garlic and chili flakes—they add layers of flavor to the dish.
How to Make Rigatoni Salsiccia:
- Cook sausage in a large frying pan in olive oil over medium heat until golden brown and cooked through.
- Start boiling water in a large pot on high heat, and blanch broccoli rabe then set aside.
- While pasta is cooking in the pot, sauté garlic and chili flakes, then add sausage, broccoli rabe, and tomatoes.
- Drain pasta (do not rinse) and toss cooked pasta with the sausage mixture, Parmesan cheese, and reserved pasta water.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve salsiccia e rapini hot, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese if desired.
Pro Tips:
- Reserve some pasta water to help create a silky sauce that coats the noodles evenly.
- Toss the pasta with the sauce over low heat to ensure thorough mixing and optimal flavor absorption.
How to Store Rigatoni Salsiccia:
Store leftover Rigatoni Salsiccia in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until heated through.
Can You Make Rigatoni Salsiccia Ahead of Time?
Yes, you can make Rigatoni Salsiccia ahead of time!
For the freshest flavors, store the cooked pasta and sauce separately in the refrigerator and combine them before reheating.
How Long Does Rigatoni Salsiccia Last?
Salsiccia e Rapini lasts in the refrigerator for about 3 days.
Be sure to discard any leftovers that have been left out at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
Can You Freeze Rigatoni Salsiccia?
While it’s best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze Rapini e Salsiccia for up to 2 months in an airtight container.
I like to put this sausage pasta in a freezer safe baking dish, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, and reheat with fresh cheese until golden brown for an easy no-prep dinner.
What to Serve with Rigatoni Salsiccia?
Pair your pasta rapini e salsiccia with a crisp green salad served with this honey mustard dressing, your favorite crusty bread, or garlic knots.
It also goes realy well with these grilled zucchini or these charred leeks and red swiss chard.
Is Rigatoni Salsiccia Healthy?
Rigatoni with sausage is not really indulgent or really healthy.
It is a solid middle of the road choice.
It has vegetables, protein, and no heavy cream making it one of the lighter pasta recipes you can eat while watching what you consume.
Enjoy it in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Pro Tip: You can make this pasta rapini e salsiccia gluten free by using your favorite gluten free rigatoni noodles. Follow the cooking instructions, and use them in this recipe as directed.
Additional Pasta Recipes You’ll Love…
- Chicken Artichoke Pesto Pasta
- Italian Sausage Bow Tie Pasta
- Ham and Pea Pasta
- Lemon Cream Pasta
- Easy Cajun Shrimp Pasta
- Pasta e Fagioli Soup
- Summer Pasta Salad
- Seafood Pasta
- Deviled Egg Pasta Salad
- Easy Creamy Lemon Shrimp Pasta
- Pepperoni Pasta Salad
- Jambalaya Pasta Recipe
- Sausage Broccoli Pasta
- Cold Greek Pasta Salad
- Cajun Angel Hair Pasta
Whether you need an easy pasta con salsiccia recipe or are just looking for the best way to get a dinner everyone wants to eat on the table tonight, this rigatoni salsiccia is one of those great recipes that will solve both problems.
Simple yet delicious and full of great vegetables, this is dinner waiting to be made.
Rigatoni Salsiccia e Rapini
Rigatoni Salsiccia e Rapini...an easy-to-make Italian pasta recipe with sausage and broccoli rabe that is perfect for busy weeknight dinners, and elegant enough for a special occasion.
Ingredients
- 1 12 oz package Johnsonville Fresh Mild or Hot Ground Sausage
- 1 lb rigatoni
- 1 head broccoli rabe
- 1 large tomato, diced
- 6 cloves of peeled garlic, crushed
- 4 oz olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili flakes
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Bring 6 quarts of water to a boil and add 2 tablespoons of salt. Drop in pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
- In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil set over high heat. Place the sausage in the pan and cook for 4-5 minutes. Remove sausage and set aside on paper towel-lined dish.
- Bring 6 quarts of water to a boil in the pot used for the pasta. Cut florets off the broccoli rabe head and drop into the boiling water for 1-2 minutes with 2 tablespoons of salt. Transfer florets to bowl of ice water and once ice melts, drain and set aside.
- Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in sauté pan until hot. Add the crushed garlic cloves and sauté until golden brown, then add chili flakes, sausage, broccoli rabe and tomatoes. Saute and toss for 2-3 minutes.
- Add pasta to the pan with the parmesan cheese, half of the reserved pasta water, salt and pepper. Toss for 1-2 minutes until ingredients are integrated. If pasta seems dry, add more of the pasta water as needed.
Nutrition Information:
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 95Total Fat: 5gCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 6g
Photos & Text Updated: March 5, 2024
Julie
Wednesday 19th of March 2025
Make this often and add half a can of chopped tomatoes and cook the rapini in the sauce and don’t steam first and it’s fine .we love this and on our family rotation Thanks Montreal , Canada 🇨🇦
Janelle
Thursday 20th of March 2025
Great ideas Julie! Thank you for the comment and I'm so glad it's a hit with your family!
April
Thursday 7th of March 2024
This was delicious and incredibly easy to throw together. The whole family loved it!
Katerina
Thursday 7th of March 2024
This was incredibly delicious!! The flavors of the sausage and rapini blended beautifully with the pasta. Definitely a keeper!
Sandra
Thursday 7th of March 2024
This is one delicious pasta that is so easy to make on busy weeknights! Definitely having this recipe on my weekly menu!
Catalina
Thursday 7th of March 2024
This Rigatoni Salsiccia e Rapini recipe was exactly what I needed to shake up our dinner routine. It felt like we were dining in an Italian bistro right at our dinner table!