I love preparing Instant Pot Sausage Rigatoni. The savory Italian sausage, rigatoni pasta, garlic, onion, and diced tomatoes meld into a rich chicken broth sauce. Dried basil with a hint of red pepper add intrigue while a sprinkle of grated Parmesan and fresh basil leaves complete this quick, flavor-packed weeknight dinner.

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I always get excited when a weeknight dinner turns into something special without a lot of fuss, and this Instant Pot Sausage Rigatoni blew my mind. The savory Italian sausage (casings off and broken into pieces) mingles perfectly with chopped yellow onion and minced garlic, creating a base that smells divine.

Then, adding in uncooked rigatoni with diced tomatoes and tomato sauce, along with 2 cups of chicken broth really brings the dish together. A sprinkle of dried basil and oregano, plus a hint of red pepper flakes for those who like a little kick, makes it pop.

I usually season with salt and pepper before letting the Instant Pot do its magic. When it’s done, a topping of grated Parmesan cheese and a few fresh basil leaves to garnish make it a satisfying meal that feels like a new twist on classic pasta recipes that I’ve been loving lately.

Enjoy and dig in!

Why I Like this Recipe

I love this recipe for a bunch of reasons. First, its super easy to make on a busy weeknight and I dont gotta stress over a million dishes since its all made in one pot. Second, the combination of the Italian sausage, tomato sauce, and spices like basil and oregano just makes the flavors burst in your mouth every time. Third, the pasta turns out so tender and perfectly coated with the rich sauce which is just so satisfying when youre digging in. Finally, I really appreciate how the Instant Pot locks in all the flavors and gives me a comforting, hearty meal in just a few minutes.

Ingredients

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Italian sausage packs in protein and robust flavor while adding a hearty, savory bite.
Rigatoni brings satisfying carbohydrates and a fun texture that soaks up all the delicious sauce.
Diced tomatoes deliver a tangy sweetness and freshness bursting with vitamins.
Garlic and onion infuse the dish with nutritious flavor and a cozy aroma.
Chicken broth adds savory moisture that balances spices and melds flavors together.
Parmesan cheese offers a rich, salty finish that elevates the dish instantly.
Dried basil and oregano provide subtle earthiness, making the flavors bold and harmonious.
Tomato sauce boosts a smooth texture and concentrated tang, blending well with other ingredients.

Ingredient Quantities

1 lb Italian sausage (casings removed and broken into pieces)

12 oz rigatoni pasta (uncooked)

1 small yellow onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes

1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce

2 cups chicken broth

1 tsp dried basil

1/2 tsp dried oregano

1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional for a little kick)

Salt and pepper to taste

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (for serving)

Fresh basil leaves (optional garnish)

How to Make this

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1. Set your Instant Pot to sauté and add the Italian sausage, breaking it up as it cooks until it browns well.

2. Toss in the chopped onion and minced garlic, cook a few minutes until the onion gets soft.

3. Mix in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, chicken broth, dried basil, dried oregano, red pepper flakes, and a bit of salt and pepper.

4. Stir everything together so that all flavors blend nice.

5. Add the uncooked rigatoni pasta and make sure most of it gets submerged in the liquid.

6. Close the lid tightly and set the Instant Pot on high pressure for 5 minutes.

7. When the time’s up, quickly release the pressure carefully.

8. Open the lid and stir the pasta well, letting it sit a minute or two so the sauce thickens a bit.

9. Sprinkle the grated Parmesan over the top while it’s still hot.

10. Serve immediately and if you like, garnish with fresh basil leaves for an extra pop of flavor.

Equipment Needed

1. Instant Pot with a sauté setting
2. Sharp knife
3. Cutting board
4. Wooden spoon or spatula
5. Measuring spoons and cups
6. Grater for Parmesan cheese
7. Timer (or use Instant Pot’s built-in timer)

FAQ

What if I want a different type of pasta?
You can totally use another pasta like penne or ziti if you dont have rigatoni. They might change the texture a little bit but they work just as well.

Do I need to brown the sausage first?
Its best to break the sausage into pieces and turn it brown in the Instant Pot on saute mode for extra flavor, but if you're short on time you can add it raw.

How long does this recipe actually take?
Once everything is in, set the Instant Pot for 5 minutes on high pressure then a natural release for about 5 minutes. Prep time might add up to 15 minutes so overall its pretty quick.

Can I use water instead of chicken broth?
Yes, you can but using chicken broth really boosts the flavor. Using water might make it a bit bland so you might wanna adjust the seasoning a bit.

Can I swap dried herbs with fresh ones?
Absolutely! If you have fresh basil or oregano you can use them instead. Use more fresh if you do since dried herbs are more concentrated.

Instant Pot Sausage Rigatoni Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Italian sausage: You can swap it with ground turkey or chicken sausage if you’re lookin for a leaner option, but remember the flavor will be a bit different.
Rigatoni pasta: If you can’t get rigatoni, penne or even elbow macaroni are good alternatives that work just fine in this dish.
Tomato sauce: In a pinch, pureed canned tomatoes or even tomato puree can be used instead. It might change the consistency a bit, but it still tastes great.
Chicken broth: Vegetable broth or even water mixed with a bouillon cube can replace chicken broth if thats what you have on hand.
Parmesan cheese: If you dont have Parmesan, try using Pecorino Romano. It has a sharper bite but works well as a topping.

Pro Tips

1. Make sure you brown the sausage real good before anything else so you get lots of flavor, dont rush it.
2. Be extra careful with that quick pressure release, you dont wanna get burned or mess up the pasta, so have a towel next to you just in case.
3. Let the whole dish sit a minute after you open the pot so the sauce thickens up a bit instead of being runny.
4. Taste the sauce before serving and feel free to add a little extra salt or pepper if you think its needed, a little tweak can really pump up the flavor.

Instant Pot Sausage Rigatoni Recipe

Recipe by Francis Mead

0.0 from 0 votes

Servings

servings

Calories

600

kcal

Equipment: 1. Instant Pot with a sauté setting
2. Sharp knife
3. Cutting board
4. Wooden spoon or spatula
5. Measuring spoons and cups
6. Grater for Parmesan cheese
7. Timer (or use Instant Pot’s built-in timer)

Ingredients

1 lb Italian sausage (casings removed and broken into pieces)
12 oz rigatoni pasta (uncooked)
1 small yellow onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
2 cups chicken broth
1 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional for a little kick)
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (for serving)
Fresh basil leaves (optional garnish)

Directions

Set your Instant Pot to sauté and add the Italian sausage, breaking it up as it cooks until it browns well.
Toss in the chopped onion and minced garlic, cook a few minutes until the onion gets soft.
Mix in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, chicken broth, dried basil, dried oregano, red pepper flakes, and a bit of salt and pepper.
Stir everything together so that all flavors blend nice.
Add the uncooked rigatoni pasta and make sure most of it gets submerged in the liquid.
Close the lid tightly and set the Instant Pot on high pressure for 5 minutes.
When the time’s up, quickly release the pressure carefully.
Open the lid and stir the pasta well, letting it sit a minute or two so the sauce thickens a bit.
Sprinkle the grated Parmesan over the top while it's still hot.
Serve immediately and if you like, garnish with fresh basil leaves for an extra pop of flavor.

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.