Easy Cream-Cheesy Rigatoni

Recipe from Jennifer Keller

During the COVID-19 nightmare of 2020, we who love to cook or those of us who are forced to due to all the "no dine-out" restrictions, are in constant search of easy stay-at-home recipes.
Jennifer found this one in a magazine. You gotta try it! The whole family loves it.

Ingredients

1 lb. Penne or Rigatoni Pasta (cooked and drained)
1-2 Tbls. olive oil or butter
1-2 cloves garlic (chopped fine)
1 lb. Italian sausage (I prefer mild or medium)
8-10 ounces sliced mushrooms (optional)
Chopped fresh basil (or dried if you don't have fresh available)
1 large bottle Marinara sauce (24-32 oz./your favorite)
1 8-oz. package cream cheese


Instructions

In large dutch oven heat 2 Tbls. butter and/or olive oil on medium
Saute sliced mushrooms until golden
Add ground Italian sausage or whole sausages (casings removed)
Crumble and brown until no longer pink
Pour in large bottle of Marinara. (plain is great since there is so much seasoning in the sausage)
Add some chopped or dried basil or some Italian parsley for added color and flavor if desired.
Bring to bubbling and then melt in the cream cheese. (You may want to cut into cubes before adding.)
Let it all simmer for a few minutes then add your drained pasta and mix in well.
VOILÁ Like the title states, EASY CREAM CHEESY and oh so yummy! 😊

Serve with garlic bread and a tossed salad if desired.