The Soft Simmer

Are you ready to elevate your pasta game with a dish that packs a punch? Introducing spicy red sauce pasta with sausage—a delightful combination of robust flavors and comforting textures. This recipe is perfect for those chilly evenings when you crave something warming and satisfying. With a rich, zesty tomato sauce infused with spices and paired with savory sausage, this dish is sure to become a favorite in your household. Whether you’re cooking for family or entertaining friends, this pasta will impress and delight. Get ready to savor every bite!

Pasta sauce is a big deal in our household! One of the best traditions my husband and I have is Sauce Sunday, and we absolutely love it. Ever since we moved in together, we’ve been whipping up homemade sauce nearly every Sunday. This recipe has quickly become a star in our rotation because it’s just that amazing. Plus, it’s super easy to make and won’t take away from a relaxing, lazy Sunday hangout!

This dish was inspired by a delicious dinner during a couple’s trip this fall to Napa. After an amazing day of wine tasting, we were ready to kick it on the couch and order in. I’m always drawn to any pasta dish with a spicy kick, and this one was absolutely phenomenal! I couldn’t wait to recreate it the very next Sunday after we returned home.

Hot cherry peppers add an exciting kick to this dish, perfect for jump starting your week! Whether you choose sausage links or ground sausage, both are fantastic options. My husband and I love going for the hot Italian links!

You can keep this sauce simmering all afternoon or eat as soon as it’s ready.

Start by cooking your pasta per package directions. Once pasta is cooked, save 1 cup of pasta water. Drain pasta and set aside.

While the pasta is cooking, chop your hot cherry peppers and mince your garlic and onion. I like to smash my garlic before chopping because I feel like it releases the flavor better. Simmer the onion and cherry peppers on medium heat for about 3 minutes or until the peppers are soft and the onion translucent. Then add in the garlic and cook for another 2 minutes or until fragrant. Reduce heat to low and stir in tomato paste. Let that cook for 3 minutes until warmed up completely.

Add in the crushed tomatoes and heavy cream. Increase heat back to medium and cover pan until sauce reaches a simmer, then reduce heat to low and leave uncovered. Stir in crushed red pepper flakes to desired heat level. Like I said before, I like it hot, so I usually add in a tablespoon or two of the cherry pepper juices. Once that’s mixed in now is when you can leave the sauce on low for hours, just make sure to stir it every 30 minutes or so.

Once sausage is complete and you’re ready to eat, add cooked pasta to sauce. Add in pasta water, starting with 1/4 cup, until you reach your desired consistency. I like it a little thinner, but not too watery so I usually add about 1/3 cup.

Mix in the prepared sausage. Serve up the pasta and top it off with a generous sprinkle of fresh grated Parmesan cheese. Enjoy every bite!

Hearty rigatoni meets a bold, garlicky red sauce with a touch of heat and savory sausage. This comforting pasta dish is easy to make and full of rich, satisfying flavor—perfect for weeknights or cozy dinners at home.

Spicy Red Sauce with Rigatoni and Sausage

Servings: 4

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 box pasta of choice
• 1 lb Hot Italian Sausage Links
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 onion, diced
• 1/4 cup hot cherry peppers diced
• 3 oz tomato paste
• 28 oz crushed tomatoes
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• Parmesan cheese for garnish

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375° F. Once heated, cook sausage for 28 minutes or until fully cooked through (160°F internal temperature).
2. Cook pasta based on box directions. Once cooked, save 1 cup pasta water and set aside. Drain remainder and set pasta aside.
3. Heat olive oil in large sauce pan on medium heat. Saute onion and peppers for 3 minutes or until onion is translucent and peppers are soft. Then add in garlic and cook for another 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
4. Reduce heat to low and add in tomato paste. Cook for about 3 minutes, stirring to completely incorporate. Add in crushed tomatoes and heavy cream. Sauce should be a light pink/orange. Stir in red pepper flakes. Stir in 1 oz of the hot cherry peppers juice if looking for an extra spice.
5. Add in drained pasta. Stir in 1/4 cup pasta water. You can add more until the desired thickness of sauce is achieved.
6. After cooking the sausage, slice it into rounds. Mix the sausage into the sauce, then serve the pasta with a generous sprinkle of Parmesan cheese on top. Enjoy!