This Creamy Rigatoni with Broccolini and Sausage is the PERFECT comforting fall/winter meal! You're welcome!
How is it almost a new DECADE in a few weeks? Like where on EARTH did the year go? Christmas is going to roll out around here in a few days and I couldn't be more excited for the holiday season. I want some comforting meals, lots of movie nights at home with the fire place going, and all the hot cocoa.
And this Rigatoni with Broccolini and Sausage fits the bill when it comes to comforting meals. It's loaded with flavor from all the broccolini and the sausage and there's a creamy ricotta sauce that you're going to want to douse on everything!
Rigatoni with Broccolini and Sausage
This Creamy Rigatoni with Broccolini and Sausage is the PERFECT comforting fall/winter meal!
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 8 ounces rigatoni
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 pound sweet or hot Italian sausage casings removed
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 6 garlic cloves thinly sliced
- 1 pound broccolini stems sliced crosswise into ¼ inch coins, and tops cut into small florets
- ½ teaspoon dried chili flakes
- ½ cup whipped ricotta see below
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan Cheese
- ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs toasted with 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Ricotta
- 1 ½ cups whole-milk ricotta cheese
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage and break up with the back of a wooden spoon and cook for roughly 6 minutes until it starts to brown.
- Add the broccoli coins, the remaining olive oil and sliced garlic to the skillet. Toss the sausage and keep cooking until the sausage is just about fully browned and the garlic is fragrant. Add the chili flakes and season with salt and pepper.
- While the sausage is browning, cook the pasta according to the package directions. About 3 minutes before the pasta should be al dente, add the broccoli florets and cook all together, until the pasta is al dente. Drain and reserve 1 cup of the pasta water
- Add ½ cup of the reserved pasta cooking water to the skillet with the sausage and return skillet to the heat. Add the drained pasta, the whipped ricotta, and half of the Parmesan. Stir the ingredients in the pan to combine the ingredients, put back over medium heat, and cook for a couple of minutes to warm everything through and make a saucy consistency. Serve with more Parm and top with the breadcrumbs.
To make the Ricotta
- Put the ricotta, salt and plenty of pepper in a food processor and start to process. With the motor running, add the olive oil in a thin stream. Pause and scrape down the sides if needed. The mixture should get lovely and creamy. Taste and adjust with more salt and pepper as needed. Store in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Notes
Always dip out some pasta cooking water before draining your pot. No matter what type of sauce you are making, it's the perfect way to finish it off.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 950kcal | Carbohydrates: 59g | Protein: 39g | Fat: 61g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 29g | Cholesterol: 124mg | Sodium: 1362mg | Potassium: 522mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 2429IU | Vitamin C: 108mg | Calcium: 413mg | Iron: 4mg
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Photo Matt Armendariz // Food Styling Adam Pearson // Recipe adapted from Six Seasons
This has become a favourite in our household. Totally delicious! I usually add 1 cup of the whipped ricotta because it’s just so good.
Delicious. I used a little of the Gaby's go to when I sauteed the sausage and I might even add some shallots and mushrooms next time. I just used a couple of tablespoons of ricotta and mixed it with a little olive oil in the ninja and that way I wouldn't have leftovers. Will make again for sure!
Perfect (non-red) sauce pasta dish. The whipped ricotta is to DIE for and I want to put it on everything I eat.
Omg the ricotta! This pasta is heavenly!
Made this for dinner last night and it was so so good!! My husband and toddler both ate two helpings. The whipped ricotta alone is divine - will have to remember that when I want to jazz up my toast for breakfast. This is a must make!
This stuff is addicting and perfect for a quick, satisfying dinner. My boyfriend is not a pasta lover and couldn't get enough of this, just as good the next day!