Rigatoni San Giorgio
A classic old world pasta dish loaded with flavor but easy enough for weeknights
Equipment
- 1 Large Stock Pot can use smaller pot or Dutch oven if halving the recipe (see recipe notes)
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 16 oz. Cremini Mushrooms, sliced or similar mushroom
- 1 Sweet Onion, diced
- 4 - 6 cloves Garlic, diced Add or subtract to taste
- 2 lbs. Ground Pork Sausage We used Jimmy Dean Italian for this one
- 2 jars Marinara Use a premium brand. Our jars were 26 oz. each
- 1 block Cream Cheese, 8 oz.
- 1 tbsp. Italian Herb Grinder or Italian Seasoning Or grab similar dried herbs from your spice cabinet if you don't have a blend
- 5 - 7 Basil Leaves, torn Add or subtract to taste
- 2 lbs. Rigatoni We just used a decent brand dried rigatoni from the pasta aisle
Instructions
- In a large stock pot or similar accommodating stovetop cooking vessel, saute the mushrooms in oil until they soften up, 7 - 10 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- Saute the onion 5 - 7 minutes, or until softening. Add the garlic for the last 2 minutes or so (careful not to burn). Remove and set with mushrooms.
- Brown the sausage, using a wooden spoon or other utensil to break up as you go, 7 - 10 minutes.
- Stir in the marinara. Add back the onions, mushrooms, and garlic and mix well. Bring to a simmer and add the cream cheese, mixing well and stirring occasionally while it melts and blends. Add in the Italian seasoning and half the basil (save the rest for topping at plating). Continue to simmer while you make the pasta.
- Salt a pot of water and cook the pasta according to the package directions (usually about 12 minutes). Remove and drain pasta.
- Plate pasta first and top with sauce. Top with torn basil and parmesan cheese to taste.
Notes
This is definitely a "family style" recipe. To cut it in half, simply halve the mushrooms, onions, garlic (optional if you love garlic), sausage, cheese, marinara, basil (also optional and to taste), Italian seasoning (same), pasta, parmesan cheese (optional).
Cook time would also reduce on the saute and sausage browning steps. Saute until mushrooms and onions are softened up. Cook sausage until browned. Less volume in the pan will mean less time needed for these items.
If you want the sauce to simmer longer prepare the pasta about 10 - 15 minutes from desired plating.