This might be the easiest pasta sauce you ever make. Just two ingredients—Italian sausage and canned tomatoes—come together to create a rich, meaty red sauce that coats every piece of that rigatoni perfectly. 30 minutes, barely any effort, and packed with flavor.
This is a favorite winter meal around here. You can make a big pot and just let it chill on the stove till you’re ready to eat. The whole house will smell great. I remember every New Year’s Day going to watch the Mummers all morning in the freezing cold. When I would make it back to my Nonna’s house later in the day with numb feet and my nose running all over the place, she would have this massive pot filled with sausage, peppers and red sauce. I would eat plates of it. It was the perfect thing to warm you up. So, I may be a little sentimental about the whole sausage and red sauce thing, but whether your grandma makes this for you, or you make it for yourself, I guarantee it’s gonna be delicious.
It’s a two ingredient pasta sauce. Sausage and tomatoes. Yup that’s it. Takes about 30 minutes, is pretty much all hands off, and it is well worth your time.
Sausage and Red Sauce Rigatoni – A 30-Minute Pasta Recipe
A Simple, Two-Ingredient Pasta Sauce You’ll Love
This sausage and red sauce pasta is a favorite winter meal in my house. My Nonna used to make a huge pot of this every New Year’s Day, and the smell of slow-simmered sausage in tomatoes still brings me back. Whether you’re making it for a crowd or a cozy weeknight dinner, I promise—it’s worth every bite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Only 2 ingredients – Italian sausage and canned tomatoes. That’s it. Super simple and full of flavor!
- Ready in 30 minutes – A quick and cozy pasta dinner that is ready in half an hour!
- Rich, meaty red sauce – A great cozy pasta that is perfect for cold weather.
- Minimal effort – When I easy, I mean EASY. Let the sauce simmer while you cook pasta.
How to Make This Easy Sausage and Red Sauce Rigatoni
This quick sausage pasta recipe comes together in one pan and takes just 30 minutes. The secret? Letting the Italian sausage render its fat, and all that flavor, before simmering with canned tomatoes. Here’s how to make it:
Ingredients you’ll need
- 1 lb Italian sausage (hot or sweet, your choice)
- 28 oz canned tomatoes (whole, crushed, or pureed—whatever you like)
- 1/2 lb rigatoni (or your pasta of choice)
Instructions
- Brown the sausage
Heat a pan over medium heat and cook the sausage slowly, letting the fat render. Get it golden brown on both sides for maximum flavor. - Add the tomatoes
If using whole canned tomatoes, crush them slightly before adding. Let everything simmer for 20 minutes to develop the sauce. - Cook the pasta
Boil rigatoni in salted water until al dente. Drain and toss with the sauce. - Serve
Top with grated Parmesan or Pecorino, and dig in!
Tips for the Best Sausage in Red Sauce
- Use high-quality sausage – There’s only two ingredients for this sauce, so quality matters! A good butcher’s hot or sweet Italian sausage makes all the difference.
- Don’t rush the browning – Slowly browning the sausage deepens the flavor and enhances the sauce. Let is brown for the full 10 minutes. This recipe is so quick, don’t rush this part.
- Spice it up – Want some more flavor? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes, garlic, or fresh basil at the end.
- Switch Up The Pasta – Rigatoni is great, but spaghetti, bucatini, homemade tagliatelle, potato gnocchi, pinci, or even orecchiette work great! Use whatever shape you like.
FAQs About Italian Sausage and Red Sauce Rigatoni
Can I use ground sausage instead of sausage links?
Yes! Ground Italian sausage works great—just brown it like you would whole links. I also like to occasionally take the sausage out of the casing and break it apart as it cooks.
What’s the best type of sausage to use?
You want Italian sausage for this recipe. You could use sweet, or hot, or a mix of both. Try to get high-quality, butcher-made sausage if possible.
Can I make this sauce ahead of time?
Yes! This sausage and red sauce stores really well. So you can make it ahead or time and even double the recipe to have a super quick sauce ready for another meal. Store it in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
What’s the best pasta to use?
Rigatoni is my favorite because it holds the sauce well, but bucatini, homemade tagliatelle, potato gnocchi, penne, garganelli, orecchiette, or even spaghetti work. Really any pasta you like works for this.
What to Serve with Sausage and Red Sauce Rigatoni
Pair this pasta with a crisp salad and some crusty bread for a full meal:
Classic Caesar Salad – This is the best classic caesar salad recipe with an easy homemade dressing (no raw eggs!), crispy croutons, and fresh romaine lettuce
Arugula Salad With Parmesan, Pine Nuts and Pomelo – Peppery arugula, tangy pomelo, nutty pine nuts, and salty parmesan make the perfect Italian-inspired salad.
Stone Fruit Caprese Salad – A twist on the classic caprese salad using peaches, plums, nectarines and fresh mint.
Cucumber and Tomato Salad – A classic cucumber and tomato salad with sliced onions, oil, vinegar and lots of fresh basil.
Try This Cozy Pasta Recipe Tonight!
This easy sausage and red sauce pasta is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a cozy weekend meal. With just two ingredients and 30 minutes, it’s a recipe you’ll make again and again. And here are a few more comforting, easy Italian-inspired meals to try:
Baked Rigatoni – The perfect baked rigatoni with ricotta cheese and a quick meat sauce. it’s an easy weeknight meal that tastes like it took you all weekend.
Cacio e Pepe mac and Cheese – This cacio e pepe baked mac and cheese has lots of black pepper, parmesan, and pecorino Romano with a rich, creamy sauce and crispy panko topping. a perfect mash-up of roman pasta and classic comfort food!
Classic Italian Tomato Sauce (Pomodoro Sauce) – Classic Italian tomato sauce that’s a staple in both Italian and Italian-American kitchens.
Sausage and Beans in Red Sauce – Simple and quick Italian sausage and giant beans in a tomato sauce. Very similar to this recipe but with giant white beans!
Did you make this recipe?
Did you try this sausage and red sauce recipe? Leave a comment and 5-star review below with your thoughts or share your version on Instagram by tagging @TheMostHungry. I’d love to see it!
Sausage Red Sauce Rigatoni
Ingredients
- 1 lb sausage
- 28 oz canned tomatoes whole, crushed, pureed, whatever you like
- 1/2 lb rigatoni or your pasta of choice
Instructions
- Brown your sausage over medium heat. You want it to cook fairly slow here so the fat starts to render and you get it nice and golden brown on both sides. After your sausage is nicely browned, add in your tomatoes. If using whole canned tomatoes like I did, squeeze em to break them up a bit.
- Let your sausage and tomatoes simmer for 20 minutes. Check for salt. I typically don’t need to add any since the sausage is usually salty enough. But you make the call here.
- Then toss with your pasta, top with cheese and eat up.
Did You Make This Recipe?
Leave a comment with your thoughts or share your version on Instagram by tagging @TheMostHungry. I’d love to see how you made it your own!
3 thoughts on Easy Sausage and Red Sauce Rigatoni
Hey Rachel!! This looks delish. Just like NANNY ROSE’S on New Years Day. 😊
Whats the best sausage for this dish, did you remove the casing?
I like to use either a sweet or spicy Italian sausage, depends on my mood. And, no, I don’t remove the casing.