Spicy Vodka Rigatoni with Sausage

mains recipes Dec 19, 2024

If there's one thing I can count on, it's if there's a rigatoni vodka on the menu at any restaurant, my husband will 100% be ordering it. Which is why when I wanted to make a special dinner after he'd been traveling for work, this was an easy crowd-pleaser.

What I especially love about this Spicy Vodka Rigatoni with Sausage is that it's both perfect for a celebratory dinner at home AND also easy enough to whip up any old night. I know this will be one your significant other and kiddos will ask for again and again as well!

You'll simply need onion to cook down with your ground sausage and some spices like garlic powder, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. I personally like to use a spicy Italian sausage because I love a little extra heat, but mild works great as well.

Likewise, you can always amp up or down the spice by adding more or less of the red pepper flakes - or omit completely if preferred.

While you could always use a jarred sauce, I find that a simple can of crushed tomatoes does the trick. And, of course, vodka is an essential addition to your homemade sauce for an additional burst of flavor. I promise you don't taste any sort of alcohol twang - it burns off in the cooking process regardless!

As for the creaminess, parmesan and cream cheese are two musts here. They add amazing richness that will make this sauce extra decadent AND extra delicious. The Good Culture cream cheese has been a go-to of mine lately!

Lastly, I looove fresh herbs, so I load my sauce up with tons of fresh basil and serve with more on top. It adds amazing freshness and makes the end result even prettier!

Serve this up with your cooked rigatoni and an additional sprinkle of parmesan as well. I can promise you that this will become a new staple meal for your significant other as well :)

Ingredients

1 box rigatoni pasta
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 yellow onion, diced
1 lb ground Italian pork sausage (I like spicy, but use mild if you prefer)
1 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp dried oregano
½ tsp crushed red pepper (more or less to taste)
salt & pepper to taste
1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
⅔ cup vodka
5 oz of cream cheese
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese (plus more for topping)
½ cup fresh basil, sliced (plus more for topping)

Directions

1. To a large sauce pan or dutch oven, add olive oil, onion, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat for a few minutes, until onions begin to soften.

Meanwhile begin to cook pasta separately according to package directions.

2. Add ground sausage, and break into pieces. Cook for a few minutes.

3. Add in garlic powder, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Stir, and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.

4. Pour in tomatoes and vodka, and simmer for 5 minutes.

5. Add in cream cheese and parmesan cheese, and stir until dissolved.

6. Add fresh basil, and stir to incorporate.

7. When pasta is cooked, add it into your sauce and stir to coat.

8. Serve with additional fresh basil and parmesan. Enjoy!