Sausage Pumpkin Rigatoni Pasta (Print Version)

Creamy pumpkin, sausage, and rigatoni come together in a single-pot, perfect for simple, hearty dinners.

# Components:

→ Proteins

01 - 400 g (14 oz) Italian sausage, casings removed

→ Aromatics and Vegetables

02 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 400 g (14 oz) unsweetened pumpkin purée
05 - 2 cups baby spinach (optional)

→ Dairy

06 - 120 ml (½ cup) heavy cream
07 - 50 g (½ cup) grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish

→ Pasta

08 - 350 g (12 oz) rigatoni

→ Liquids

09 - 750 ml (3 cups) low-sodium chicken broth
10 - 120 ml (½ cup) water

→ Spices and Seasonings

11 - 1 tsp dried sage
12 - ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
13 - ½ tsp dried chili flakes (optional)
14 - Salt, to taste
15 - Black pepper, to taste
16 - 2 tbsp olive oil

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add Italian sausage and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until well-browned and cooked through, approximately 5–6 minutes.
02 - Add the finely chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Incorporate the pumpkin purée, dried sage, ground nutmeg, and dried chili flakes (if using). Pour in the chicken broth and water. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
04 - Add the rigatoni to the simmering liquid, ensuring all pasta is submerged. Continue to simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 12–14 minutes, or until the pasta achieves an al dente texture and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
05 - Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, and baby spinach (if using). Continue to cook, stirring, until the spinach has wilted and the sauce has become creamy, approximately 2–3 minutes.
06 - Season the dish generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your preference. Serve hot, with additional grated Parmesan cheese as a garnish.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in just 40 minutes from start to finish
  • Uses just one pot for minimal cleanup
  • Perfect balance of savory and slightly sweet flavors
  • Adaptable with seasonal ingredients
02 -
  • Perfect balance of protein carbs and vegetables in one dish
  • Makes excellent leftovers as flavors deepen overnight
  • Can be made ahead and reheated making it perfect for busy weeknights
03 -
  • Toast the sage in the oil before adding other ingredients to enhance its flavor profile.
  • Reserve half cup of pasta cooking liquid before draining if you prefer cooking pasta separately it adds starch that helps sauce cling to pasta.
  • For extra richness stir in a tablespoon of butter just before serving for glossy finish.
  • Let the dish rest covered for five minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and sauce to thicken perfectly.

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