Hey everyone! 👋 Get ready for a super yummy and easy pasta dish that will make your family say “More, please!” This Creamy Beef Sausage Alfredo Rigatoni is like a warm hug on a plate. It’s creamy, cheesy, and oh-so-satisfying!

My Grandma’s Secret Pasta Sauce 👵

Let me tell you a little secret about this recipe… it comes from my Grandma! She used to make it for us every Sunday after church, and it was always the best part of the week. 😊 She had this magical way of making the creamiest Alfredo sauce with the perfect blend of cheese, garlic, and spices. 🧀🧄🌶️ My family goes bonkers for this recipe! They absolutely love the rich flavors and how easy it is to make.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe ❤️

• Super Easy to Make: Even if you’re new to cooking, you can make this recipe! It’s super simple and straightforward. 👍
• Creamy, Cheesy Goodness: Get ready for the creamiest, dreamiest Alfredo sauce ever! It’s bursting with flavor and will make your taste buds sing! 🤤
• Family Favorite: This recipe is always a hit with kids and adults alike! It’s the perfect comfort food for any night of the week. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
• Versatile: You can easily customize this recipe by adding your favorite veggies or using a different type of sausage. 🥦🍄🥕

What You Need: 📝

Here’s a sneak peek at what you’ll need to make this yummy recipe. Remember: you’ll find the exact amounts for each ingredient in the recipe card section below! 👇

For the Pasta:

• Rigatoni Pasta: The perfect shape for catching all that creamy sauce!
• Water
• Salt

For the Creamy Beef Sausage Sauce:

• Olive Oil
• Ground Beef: I like to use lean ground beef, but you can use whatever you have on hand.
• Italian Sausage: Go for mild or spicy, depending on your preference!
• Garlic: Freshly minced garlic adds so much flavor!
• Heavy Cream: This makes the sauce extra creamy and luscious.
• Whole Milk: A little bit of milk helps to balance out the richness of the heavy cream.
• Grated Parmesan Cheese: Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor.
• Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: This adds a nice gooey texture to the sauce.
• Italian Seasoning: A blend of herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme.
• Salt
• Black Pepper
• Fresh Parsley: For garnishing!

Possible Substitutions & Alternatives:

Scroll down to the recipe card section of the post for the ingredients with amounts included and for more complete directions.

Your Kitchen Toolkit: 🍳

You don’t need any fancy gadgets to whip up this recipe! Here’s what you’ll need:

Let’s Make Some Pasta Magic! ✨

Step 1: Cook the Pasta 🍝

• Grab your large pot and fill it with water. Add a pinch of salt and bring it to a boil.
• Pour in your rigatoni pasta and cook it according to the package directions. You want it to be al dente, which means it’s still a little firm in the center.
• Once the pasta is cooked, drain it using a colander and set it aside.

PRO TIP: Save about half a cup of the pasta water! This starchy water is like magic potion for your sauce. It helps to thicken the sauce and make it extra creamy!

Step 2: Brown the Meats and Make the Sauce 🥩

• Heat the olive oil in your large skillet over medium heat.
• Add the ground beef and Italian sausage to the skillet. Break it apart with a wooden spoon and cook until it’s browned on all sides.
• Toss in that minced garlic and cook it for about a minute, until it becomes fragrant. Mmm, garlic!

PRO TIP: Don’t overcook the garlic! If it starts to burn, it will taste bitter. Yuck!

Step 3: Create the Creamy Alfredo Dream 🧀

• Pour in your heavy cream and milk to the skillet. Give everything a good stir, making sure to scrape up any yummy browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
• Bring the mixture to a simmer, then turn down the heat to low.
• Now, for the best part… the cheese! Slowly sprinkle in the Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses, stirring constantly until they melt into a smooth and creamy sauce.
• Season your sauce with a dash of Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Taste it and adjust the seasonings to your liking.

Step 4: Combine and Enjoy! 😋

• Gently add the cooked rigatoni pasta to the skillet with your creamy Alfredo sauce.
• Toss everything together until the pasta is nicely coated. If your sauce seems a bit thick, add a splash of that pasta water you saved earlier. It will thin it out perfectly!
• Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve immediately!

Pro Tips for Perfect Creamy Beef Sausage Alfredo Rigatoni 🏆

• Quality Cheese: Always use freshly grated Parmesan cheese! It melts better and has a much richer flavor than the pre-grated stuff.
• Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Cook your pasta to al dente, which means it should still have a little bite to it. Nobody likes mushy pasta!
• Taste and Adjust: Before you serve, give the sauce a taste and adjust the seasonings to your liking. You can add more salt, pepper, or even a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like a little heat! 🌶️

Serving Up the Goodness & Keeping it Fresh 🍽️

This Creamy Beef Sausage Alfredo Rigatoni is amazing on its own, but here are a few serving ideas to make it even more special:

• Garlic Bread: A side of crusty garlic bread is the perfect way to soak up all that delicious sauce!
• Simple Salad: A light and refreshing salad with a tangy vinaigrette balances out the richness of the pasta.
• Steamed Veggies: Add some extra veggies to your plate by serving with a side of steamed broccoli, asparagus, or green beans.

Leftovers? No problem! This dish reheats beautifully. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to enjoy them, just reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of milk or cream to loosen up the sauce.

Freezing: This recipe is best enjoyed fresh, but you can freeze the sauce separately. To freeze the sauce, let it cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to use, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stovetop.

Fueling Up with Flavor! 💪

This Creamy Beef Sausage Alfredo Rigatoni isn’t just delicious; it’s also a great source of protein and carbohydrates to keep you fueled up. Here’s a closer look at the nutritional breakdown per serving (based on 6 servings):

Health Benefits:

This recipe includes protein-rich beef and sausage, providing essential amino acids for muscle growth and repair. It also includes calcium-rich dairy products like heavy cream, milk, and cheese, contributing to bone health. The carbohydrates from the pasta offer a readily available source of energy for your body!

More Pasta Perfection: 🍝

If you loved this recipe, you’ll definitely want to try these other pasta night superstars:

• One-Pot Creamy Tomato Pasta: A super quick and easy weeknight meal with a luscious tomato cream sauce.
• Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta: Light, bright, and bursting with fresh flavors!
• Spicy Sausage and Peppers Pasta: A hearty and satisfying dish with a kick!

What are your favorite pasta night traditions? Share your tips and variations in the comments below! And don’t forget to pin this recipe to your Pinterest board so you can make it again and again! 📌

Creamy Beef Sausage Alfredo Rigatoni

Jessica Tran

This Creamy Beef Sausage Alfredo Rigatoni recipe is a delightful, family-friendly pasta dish that's rich, cheesy, and packed with flavor. Ideal for a weeknight dinner, it combines ground beef and sausage in a luxurious Alfredo sauce.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Servings 4 people

Equipment

• Large pot (for cooking pasta)
• Colander (for draining pasta)
• Large skillet or sauté pan (for making the sauce)
• Wooden spoon or spatula (for stirring)
• Cheese grater (if using block cheese)
• Measuring cups and spoons (for accurate measuring)
• Serving bowl or pasta plates (for serving)

Ingredients

  

For the Pasta:

• Rigatoni Pasta: 12 ounces
• Water: For boiling
• Salt: 1 tablespoon for pasta water

For the Creamy Beef Sausage Sauce:

• Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons
• Ground Beef: 1 pound lean
• Italian Sausage: 1 pound mild or spicy, your choice
• Garlic: 3 cloves freshly minced
• Heavy Cream: 1 cup
• Whole Milk: ½ cup
• Grated Parmesan Cheese: 1 cup freshly grated
• Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: 1 cup
• Italian Seasoning: 1 teaspoon
• Salt: To taste
• Black Pepper: To taste
• Fresh Parsley: For garnish chopped

Instructions

 

Cook the Pasta:

• Fill a large pot with water and add salt. Bring to a boil.
• Add rigatoni pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente.
• Reserve about ½ cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta using a colander. Set aside.

Prepare the Sauce:

• In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
• Add ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
• Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional minute, until fragrant.

Make the Creamy Sauce:

• Pour in heavy cream and milk. Stir well, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
• Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat to low.
• Gradually add grated Parmesan and shredded mozzarella, stirring continuously until melted and the sauce is smooth.
• Season the sauce with Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper according to taste.

Combine Pasta with Sauce:

• Add the drained rigatoni to the skillet, tossing gently to coat the pasta in the creamy sauce.
• If the sauce is too thick, gradually mix in some reserved pasta water until desired consistency is achieved.

Serve:

• Garnish with freshly chopped parsley.
• Serve immediately in bowls or plates.

Video

Notes

Substitutions: Feel free to use penne or ziti pasta instead of rigatoni, and you can also add vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers to the sauce for added nutrition.
Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of milk or cream to loosen the sauce.
Freezing: The sauce can be frozen in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Essential Tools:

Ready to make this recipe? Here are some of my favorite kitchen tools that make cooking a breeze! Please note that these are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them at no additional cost to you. Your support helps me to keep creating delicious recipes for you! 😊

• [Large Pot Link]
• [Colander Link]
• [Large Skillet Link]

Appliance Comparison:

FAQs: 🤔

1. Can I use a different type of pasta?

Absolutely! Feel free to use any short pasta shape you like, such as penne, ziti, or even bowtie pasta.

2. Can I add veggies to this recipe?

Yes, you can definitely sneak in some extra veggies! Try adding chopped mushrooms, bell peppers, spinach, or broccoli florets to the skillet along with the sausage.

3. Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

While it’s best served fresh, you can make the sauce ahead of time. Store it separately in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When ready to serve, reheat the sauce gently on the stovetop, cook the pasta, and combine.

4. How do I store leftovers?

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of milk or cream.

5. Can I freeze this recipe?

This recipe is best enjoyed fresh, but you can freeze the sauce separately for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stovetop.

Time to Get Cooking! 🎉

Pin it

I can’t wait for you to try this Creamy Beef Sausage Alfredo Rigatoni recipe! It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that’s perfect for any occasion. Once you’ve given it a try, be sure to come back and let me know what you think in the comments below! Don’t forget to snap a pic and tag me on Pinterest – I love seeing your culinary creations!📸