Rigatoni Isabella Recipes

RIGATONI WITH SAUSAGE & FENNEL

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large heavy pot or Dutch oven, such as Le Creuset, over medium heat. Add the fennel and onion and saute for 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender. Add the sausage and cook for 7 to 8 minutes, crumbling it with a fork, until nicely browned. Add the garlic, crushed fennel seeds, red pepper flakes, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon black pepper and cook for one minute. Pour in the wine, bring to a boil, and add the heavy cream, half-and-half, and tomato paste. Bring back to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer for 20 minutes, until the sauce has thickened.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil, add 2 tablespoons salt, and cook the rigatoni according to the directions on the package. Drain and add to the sauce, stirring to coat the pasta. Cook over low heat for 5 minutes to allow the pasta to absorb the sauce. Off the heat, stir in the parsley and 1/2 cup of the Parmesan. Serve hot in shallow bowls with the remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan on the side.

RIGATONI ISABELLA

Steps:

• Cook the pasta as directed on the package, drain well.
• While the pasta is cooking, melt the butter in a large saute pan, add the sliced scallions and tomatoes; cook for a few minutes until onions are wilted and tomatoes warm.
• Stir in the sliced jalapenos, drained pasta and cheese, stirring to mix.
• When cheese has melted, add the chopped basil and generous amounts of fresh black pepper, adding salt to taste.
• Serve with grated Parmesan cheese and a jalapeno slice or 2 for garnish.

RIGATONI ALLA SICILIANA

Steps:

• Trim eggplant and cut into 1/2-inch pieces.
• In a large skillet, cook eggplant and garlic in oil for 7 minutes over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally.
• Stir in tomatoes and break up with a wooden spoon.
• Add oregano, salt and red pepper flakes.
• Simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• While sauce is simmering, cook pasta following package directions.
• Drain, reserving 1 cup of the cooking water.
• Toss drained pasta with sauce.
• Add reserved pasta water, in 1/4 cup increments, until desired consistency is reached.
• Stir in cheese, allow to melt slightly and serve.

RIGATONI AL SEGRETO (RIGATONI WITH SECRET SAUCE)

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onions, salt. Cook until no longer white and starting to turn translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic; cook about 1 minute. Add chili flakes and blended tomato sauce. Bring to a simmer; adjust heat to medium to medium-low. Simmer gently, stirring occasionally, for 45 to 60 minutes. Reduce heat to low.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook rigatoni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes (5 minutes from doneness).
• Add about 2/3 of the basil to the sauce. Stir in butter. When butter melts, add cheese in 3 increments.
• Drain pasta; transfer to sauce. Stir until rigatoni are evenly coated with sauce. Serve sprinkled with the remaining basil and a dusting of grated cheese.