Cooking the Rigatoni

Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease an 8×8-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add salt generously to enhance the pasta’s flavor. Cook the rigatoni according to package instructions, ensuring it remains al dente. The pasta should have a slight bite to it since it will continue cooking in the oven. Drain and toss with a drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.

Cooking the Sausage

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until translucent, about two to three minutes. Add the minced garlic and stir for another 30 seconds until fragrant.

Add the chicken sausage, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks. Stir occasionally and cook until browned and fully cooked through, about five to seven minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and basil. Transfer the sausage mixture to a large bowl and set aside.

Making the Roasted Garlic Alfredo Sauce

If you haven’t roasted the garlic in advance, cut the top off a whole garlic head to expose the cloves, drizzle with olive oil, wrap in foil, and roast in a 400°F oven for about 40 minutes until soft and caramelized.

Once roasted, squeeze the garlic cloves out of their skins and mash them with a fork until smooth.

In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over low to medium heat. Add the heavy cream and mashed roasted garlic, stirring gently. Heat the mixture until warm but do not let it boil, as boiling can cause the dairy to separate.

Lower the heat and add the grated Parmesan cheese, whisking constantly until the cheese melts and the sauce is smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

In a small bowl, mix the flour with two tablespoons of heavy cream until fully combined. Add this mixture to the sauce, stirring continuously until it thickens. The sauce should coat the back of a spoon.

Combining Everything and Baking

Pour the Alfredo sauce over the cooked sausage and stir until well combined. Add the cooked rigatoni and mix thoroughly to ensure every piece is coated in the creamy sauce.

Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly. Sprinkle shaved Parmesan cheese on top.

Bake for 30 minutes or until the top is lightly golden and bubbling. Remove from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.