Creamy Sausage Alfredo Rigatoni
A comforting and flavorful baked pasta dish with a creamy Alfredo twist.
Equipment
- 8x8-inch baking dish For baking the pasta.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 8 ounces rigatoni pasta cooked al dente
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 10 leaves fresh basil or 2-3 teaspoons dried
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 head roasted garlic
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1.75 cups heavy cream
- 1.25 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 0.5 cup shaved Parmesan cheese for topping
- 2 teaspoons flour to thicken sauce
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream to thicken sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8x8-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Cook the rigatoni according to package instructions in salted water until al dente. Drain and drizzle with olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, sauté the onion and garlic in olive oil until translucent, about 2-3 minutes. This will enhance the flavors.
- Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until fully cooked, breaking it apart as it cooks. Remove from heat and stir in basil, salt, and pepper. Transfer the sausage mixture to a large bowl.
- For the Roasted Garlic Alfredo Sauce: Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves from their skins into a small bowl and mash them with a fork until smooth.
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over low to medium heat. Add the heavy cream and roasted garlic, heating until warm but not boiling. This helps to blend flavors without burning.
- Reduce heat and stir in the Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper until melted and creamy.
- In a small bowl, mix the flour and heavy cream until smooth. Stir this mixture into the cheese sauce, heating until thickened. This step is crucial for a rich sauce.
- Combine the creamy sauce with the sausage mixture. Add the cooked rigatoni and mix well to ensure everything is coated in the sauce.
- Transfer everything to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle shaved Parmesan cheese on top of the pasta for added flavor and texture.
- Bake for 30 minutes until bubbly and lightly browned. This gives the top a wonderful crust!
Notes
You can customize this dish by adding vegetables like spinach or bell peppers. For a spicy kick, use hot Italian sausage instead of sweet. No alcoholic drinks allowed, please substitute with a non-alcoholic option.