Craving a rich, creamy pasta dish that keeps your health goals on track? This Heart-Healthy Rigatoni with Sausage is the answer. We swap heavy cream for a velvety, protein-packed white bean sauce that perfectly coats whole grain rigatoni and savory turkey sausage. It's the ultimate comfort food, made smarter.
Rigatoni can be part of a healthy diet, especially when you choose a whole grain version. Whole grain pasta provides more fiber than white pasta, which supports digestion and can help you feel fuller for longer.
Absolutely! This recipe uses pureed cannellini beans to create a surprisingly creamy and rich sauce. It's a great heart-healthy trick that adds fiber and plant-based protein instead of saturated fat.
Lean turkey or chicken sausage is typically the best choice. Look for brands that are low in sodium and choose options with the casings removed to further control the fat content.
Check out these easy-to-make, hearty recipes to enjoy classic flavors made healthier.
Easy and flavorful sides that pair beautifully with your main course.
Recipe yields 8 servings
Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add the pasta, and cook for 7 minutes. Add broccoli to boiling pasta and cook for 3 minutes, or until pasta is al dente. In a colander, drain the pasta and broccoli and transfer to a large bowl.
In a skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat until hot. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute, or until golden brown. Add onion and sauté for 3 minutes, or until softened. Add sausage, basil and parsley. Using a wooden spoon, break up the sausage, and cook for 3 minutes, or until the sausage is browned. Add flour and sauté about 3 minutes. Add beans, chicken stock and crushed red pepper (if using), increase heat to high and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 5 to 8 minutes, or until sauce starts to thicken. Stir in 1/4 cup of the cheese and cook for 3 minutes, or until sauce thickens. Season with black pepper. Stir in remaining 1/2 cup cheese and simmer for 2 minutes.
Toss the pasta and broccoli with the sauce. Serve immediately.
You can use lean ground chicken, or even a plant-based sausage for a vegetarian option (replace chicken stock with veggie broth).
Stir in a few handfuls of fresh spinach or kale during the last few minutes of simmering for extra nutrients.
Add a larger pinch of crushed red pepper flakes with the garlic to give the sauce some heat.
Any short, sturdy whole grain pasta like penne or ziti will work well in place of rigatoni.