Description
This creamy Cheesy Beef and Italian Sausage Rigatoni in Garlic Butter Sauce is bold, comforting, and easy enough for weeknights made with simple ingredients but rich in flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 pound rigatoni pasta
- 1/2 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound Italian sausage (casings removed)
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 10 ounces frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
Step 1: Boil the rigatoni
Bring a big pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rigatoni until al dente, about 12 minutes. Drain and set aside.
Step 2: Brown the meat
In a deep skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and sausage. Break it up as it browns, and cook until fully done. Drain the fat.
Step 3: Sauté onion, garlic, and spinach
Add the chopped onion to the meat. Cook 5 minutes till soft. Stir in garlic for 1 minute. Mix in spinach and cook until warmed through.
Step 4: Make the roux
In a separate saucepan, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and stir for 1 minute.
Step 5: Pour in the milk & broth
Gradually whisk in milk and chicken broth. Let it simmer and thicken for about 5–7 minutes.
Step 6: Stir in the cheese, cream & seasonings
Turn heat to low. Stir in heavy cream, Parmesan, mozzarella, and all seasonings: salt, pepper, Cajun, Italian herbs, paprika. Mix until smooth.
Step 7: Combine it all
Pour the sauce into the skillet with your meat and spinach. Add the rigatoni. Gently fold everything together until coated.
Notes
Make ahead and store in the fridge up to 3 days.
Pairs perfectly with garlic bread or a crisp green salad.
Use rotini, penne, or shells if you’re out of rigatoni.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 19g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: creamy sausage pasta, rigatoni recipe, garlic butter pasta, beef and sausage pasta, Cheesy Beef and Italian Sausage Rigatoni in Garlic Butter Sauce