Rustic Sausage Rigatoni with Creamy Tomato Sauce

This country style rigatoni recipe is an easy, satisfying weeknight meal. A simple tomato cream sauce comes together with rigatoni, Italian sausage, and peas for a comforting dinner the whole family will love.

I love pasta, and a recent visit to a nearby neighborhood restaurant that switched from German to Italian inspired this recipe. After enjoying bread dipped in olive oil and parmesan and scanning the menu, my choice landed on a rustic pasta dish. That meal became the basis for this country style rigatoni.

Country Style Rigatoni with Italian Sausage and Peas

What makes this dish “country-style”? It’s the straightforward ingredients and homestyle preparation: a hearty, unfussy meal built from simple pantry staples and fresh elements. If you prefer to save time, a jarred vodka or creamy tomato sauce works well in place of the homemade sauce. You can also fold cream into a prepared roasted garlic tomato sauce if you have some on hand.

How to Make Country Style Rigatoni

Gather rigatoni, uncased Italian sausage, frozen peas, butter, garlic, a small onion, tomato sauce, sugar, kosher salt, black pepper, and heavy cream. Rigatoni is available in any grocery pasta aisle; quality sausage is often found at the butcher counter. Frozen peas add a bright pop of color and texture, and the rest are basic pantry items.

Step 1: Cook the Rigatoni

Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the rigatoni and cook until al dente—tender with a slight bite—about 13 minutes, though times vary by brand. Drain and set aside while you prepare the rest of the dish.

Step 2: Prepare the Sausage and Peas

Heat a large skillet over medium heat and brown the uncased Italian sausage, breaking it up as it cooks. Once the sausage is fully cooked and nicely browned, remove the heat and stir in the frozen peas. The residual heat will warm the peas without overcooking them.

Step 3: Make the Tomato Cream Sauce

In a separate large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and the chopped onion, cooking until the onion is translucent and fragrant. Stir in the tomato sauce, sugar, salt, and pepper, then heat until the sauce is just about to simmer. Remove the pot from heat and whisk in the heavy cream until the sauce is smooth and velvety.

Step 4: Combine and Serve

Return the drained rigatoni to the skillet with the sausage and peas, then pour the tomato cream sauce over everything. Toss gently to coat the pasta evenly and heat through. Serve in bowls topped with fresh basil leaves and a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan. The result is warm, creamy, and deeply satisfying.

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Short on time? Use a jarred tomato cream sauce and skip making the sauce from scratch. Serve the rigatoni with warm garlic bread for a complete, comforting meal.

Country Style Rigatoni Pairing Suggestions

Garlic bread is the ideal side: warm, crusty, and garlicky, it complements the creamy tomato sauce and savory sausage perfectly. A light green salad also pairs well to balance the richness.

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Looking for more pasta dishes?

Try other hearty rigatoni variations or creamy pasta recipes for weeknight dinners.

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