20 Minute Roasted Red Pepper Rigatoni with Sausage
This 20 Minute Roasted Red Pepper Rigatoni with Sausage is an easy to make pasta dish that is loaded with flavor. This dish is perfect for nights when you are short on time but still want big flavors.
This week has been a much different one for us. Matt headed back to work. He had the incredible opportunity to take the past two months off.
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We had been planning this time off for almost a year. Matt had taken a new job and wanted to take some time off in between jobs. The timing of the virus was quite strange since the MN stay-at-home order perfectly coincided with the time that Matt had off.
At first, we were beyond disappointed that we weren’t going to be able to do all of the things we had previously planned, but it actually turned out to be great. It was so incredibly nice having Matt home with us. We used the “divide and conquer” method A LOT the past two months. One of us would be Jack’s teacher and the other person would distract Will!
We were able to spend so much quality family time together – which never would have happened with Jack being at school all day. It definitely wasn’t what we planned, but I think we will always look back fondly on this time we all had together at home.
When Monday rolled around, Matt had his first day at his new job. It has been a gradual start, a little bit like “syllabus week”. While I am extremely grateful for the slow start, it has been a big adjustment for all of us (namely me).
I have been stressed about Matt getting exposed to the virus (since we have largely stayed in our bubble at home) and now he is around a lot of people during the day. It has also been a lot more difficult helping Jack with his distance learning with Will nipping at my heels.
Jack and Will miss Matt too – they have asked about a million times when their baseball buddy is going to be home (apparently Mom isn’t quite up to the caliber of Dad)!
It’s been difficult, but we are getting through it. Day by day. So much is different right now. So many people have to make sacrifices and adjustments. Everyone is encountering their own set of difficulties surrounding this pandemic.
I wrote this blog post today partly because I want to remember what went through my mind during this time and partly because I want to remind you that you are not alone. We are all in this together.
I don’t know if it’s because I’ve been stressed lately or what, but I have been wanting allllll the pasta. And, let me tell you, this pasta does NOT disappoint! It’s a cozy bowl of deliciousness that is flavorful and really easy to make.
Roasted Red Pepper Rigatoni with Sausage Ingredients
- rigatoni
- olive oil
- roasted red peppers
- garlic
- white onion
- vegetable broth
- half and half
- sausage
- salt and pepper
- parsley
How Do I Get This On the Table Quickly?
Well, with a name like “20 Minute Roasted Red Pepper Rigatoni,” you better be able to get this on the table quickly, right?! By using a jar of roasted red peppers, you are already half way done with making the pasta sauce.
By adding in the garlic and onion, you add a depth of flavor to the sauce. The addition of half and half makes the sauce so creamy and delicious. You’ll be surprised at the depth of flavor from this sauce – all made in 20 minutes.
While the sauce is simmering, you can cook the pasta and the sausage so that everything will be ready all at the same time. And all under 20 minutes!
Tips for Involving Kids
- Have your kids help you chop up all the ingredients (and let them use their own knives)!!
- Let them help you sauté and blend all the ingredients – perfect opportunity to let them stir away!
- There is always going to be a mess when you cook with your kids but, like Will always says, “It’s okay Mom, chefs make messes and then they clean it up.” Have fun cooking with your kids!!
20 Minute Roasted Red Pepper Rigatoni with Sausage
Ingredients
- 16 oz rigatoni
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 16 oz jar roasted red peppers drained and roughly chopped
- 5 cloves garlic minced
- ¼ white onion diced
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- ¼ cup half and half
- 1 lb sausage optional
- salt and pepper to taste
- parsley for serving
Instructions
- Cook the rigatoni according to the package instructions.16 oz rigatoni
- If using the sausage, brown it in a pan over medium heat.1 lb sausage
- While the noodles and sausage are cooking, heat a sauce pan over medium heat and add the olive oil, garlic and onions to the pan.1 Tbsp olive oil, 5 cloves garlic, ¼ white onion
- Sauté until fragrant.
- Add the roasted red peppers and cook for an additional two minutes.16 oz jar roasted red peppers
- Using an immersion blender, purée the red pepper mixture until almost smooth.
- Add the vegetable broth and half & half and stir to combine.1 cup vegetable broth, ¼ cup half and half
- Season with salt and pepper, to taste.salt and pepper
- When ready to serve, combine the red pepper sauce, rigatoni and cooked sausage. Top with the parsley.parsley
