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Rigatoni with Sausage Ragù

Rigatoni with Sausage Ragù

Rigatoni with Sausage Ragù is hearty, rustic, and deeply comforting – the kind of pasta that fills the kitchen with slow-simmered aromas and rich Italian warmth. This version leans on pancetta, sweet Italian sausage, a splash of white wine, and Martone Street Campagna Marinara Sauce simmered with chicken stock for a velvety, robust ragù.

Perfect for chilly nights or family gatherings, this dish brings together bold flavors and tender pasta for a classic Italian comfort meal done right.

Serves 4

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons neutral oil (such as canola or avocado)
  • 3 ounces pancetta, diced
  • 12 ounces sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
  • ½ onion, minced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Pinch crushed red pepper
  • 3.5 fl oz dry white wine
  • 24 ounces Martone Street Campagna Marinara Sauce
  • 8 fl oz chicken stock
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Kosher salt
  • 1 pound rigatoni
  • Grated Parmigiano-Reggiano or Pecorino Romano, for serving (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Start the Ragù Base

Heat the neutral oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat.

Add the pancetta and cook until the fat renders, about 5 minutes.

Step 2: Brown the Sausage

Add the sausage, breaking it into bite-sized pieces.

Cook until browned and no longer pink.

Step 3: Build the Aromatics

Stir in the minced onion and cook until translucent, about 6 minutes.

Add the garlic and crushed red pepper; cook 1–2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 4: Deglaze with Wine

Pour in the white wine to deglaze the pot.

Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom.

Reduce by half.

Step 5: Simmer the Ragù

Add the Campagna Marinara Sauce, chicken stock, and bay leaf.

Simmer gently for 35 minutes to deepen flavor.

Step 6: Cook the Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

Cook rigatoni until ¾ done, just before al dente.

Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.

Step 7: Combine Pasta & Ragù

Transfer the pasta directly into the ragù.

Toss to coat, adding pasta water as needed to thin and bind the sauce.

Taste and adjust seasoning.

Step 8: Serve

Finish with grated Parmigiano-Reggiano or Pecorino Romano.

Serve immediately.

  • Serves 4
  • Rich sausage ragù simmered with pancetta, white wine, and Campagna Marinara
  • Slow-simmered, hearty, and deeply flavorful
  • Perfect cold-weather comfort food or Sunday dinner

Serving Suggestions

This hearty ragù pairs beautifully with:

  • garlic bread or focaccia
  • roasted broccoli or broccolini
  • a simple green salad with balsamic
  • Chianti, Barbera, or Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

Leftovers are even better the next day as the flavors deepen.

Try It with Martone Street Sauce

Our Campagna Marinara Sauce brings rich Italian depth with vine-ripened tomatoes, herbs, and slow-simmered flavor. It’s the perfect base for ragù-style dishes like this one.

Explore the full Martone Street collection to discover sauces for every recipe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use hot Italian sausage instead of sweet?

Absolutely; hot or a mix of both adds great depth.

Can I substitute the wine?

Yes, chicken stock works. White wine simply adds acidity and brightness.

Why finish the pasta in the sauce?

It absorbs flavor and helps the sauce cling to every piece of rigatoni.

Can I make the ragù ahead of time?

Yes – the sauce reheats beautifully and develops an even richer flavor overnight.

Do I have to use rigatoni?

Rigatoni is ideal because of its ridges, but penne, ziti, or mezze rigatoni also work great.

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