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Rigatoni with Turkey Sausage and Tomato-Cream Sauce

Rigatoni with Turkey Sausage and Tomato-Cream Sauce

By Malcolm JacksonOctober 4, 2023

  • Makes
    4 to 6 servings
  • Cook Time
    35 minutes
  • Rating

This comforting pasta dish is our re-creation of a favorite from Bar Pitti in New York City. Italian sausage made with turkey or chicken is best, as its leaner, milder flavor is a better match than pork-based sausage for the creamy tomato sauce and sweet peas. There’s no need to thaw the peas before use; they have plenty of time to defrost in the pot. We drain the pasta when it’s slightly underdone—just shy of al dente—and finish cooking it directly in the sauce so the noodles soak up the flavors.

Ingredients
  • 1

    pound rigatoni OR ziti

  • Kosher salt and ground black pepper

  • 2

    tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • 8

    ounces hot OR sweet fresh Italian turkey OR chicken sausage, casing removed

  • 14½

    ounce can tomato puree (1½ cups)

  • ½ to 1

    teaspoon red pepper flakes

  • 1

    cup frozen peas

  • ¾

    cup heavy cream

Step 1

In a large pot, bring 4 quarts water to a boil. Add the pasta and 1 tablespoon salt and cook until just shy of al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of the cooking water, then drain and return the pasta to the pot.

Step 2

Meanwhile, in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high, heat the oil until shimmering. Add the sausage and ½ teaspoon each salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally and breaking up the meat into very small bits, until the sausage is lightly browned, 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in the tomato puree and pepper flakes; bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is slightly reduced, about 5 minutes. Stir in the peas and cream, then cook, stirring, until the mixture is heated through, about 1 minute.

Step 3

Add the sauce and ½ cup of the reserved pasta water to the pasta in the pot. Cook over low, stirring, until the pasta is al dente, 1 to 2 minutes; add more reserved water as needed so the noodles are lightly sauced. Off heat, taste and season with salt and black pepper.

Step 4

Optional garnish: Finely grated Parmesan cheese