Baked Rigatoni with Italian Sausage and Mozzarella, with Caesar Salad, and Garlic Bread
Serving Size: 8
This delicious casserole is a family favorite. Comes with caesar salad (homemade dressing*) and garlic bread. This Caesar salad recipe uses a raw egg and anchovies in the dressing for authentic texture and taste. *Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness.
Recipe by: Mayumi Tavalero
Cook Times
Active Prep30
Hands-On Cook10
Hands-Off Cook30
Passive0
Total Time1 hourhour10 minutesminutes
Recipe Serving Size8
Cooking Tools Required
12-inch skillet, Cutting board, Heavy duty rimmed baking sheet, Kitchen towels, Measuring cups and spoons, Mixing bowls, Oven, Salad spinner, Sharp Knives, Tongs, Top Stove, Whisk, Wooden Spatula
Ingredients
16ouncerigatoni pastacooked according to package instructions, but just a bit firmer than al-dente
1tablespoonextra virgin olive oil
1 poundItalian sausagebulk, spicy or mild
1onionlarge, chopped
12ouncemushroomsliced
56ouncecanned crushed tomatoes
14.5ouncecanned diced tomatoes
2teaspoonKosher saltmore or less to taste
4cupmozzarella cheesegrated
1cupgrated parmesan cheese
4tablespoonfresh basilchopped
FOR THE CAESAR SALAD
2head romaine lettucelarge, chopped, washed and dried in a salad spinner
For the croutons:
1/2loaf French breadcut into 1-inch cubes
3tablespoonextra virgin olive oil
2clove garlicpeeled and smashed
For the dresssing:
2clove garlic roughly chopped
5filetcanned anchovy filletsfrom 1 can
1tablespoon Dijon mustard
1eggset in boiling water for 30 seconds
1/2cupextra virgin olive oil
1lemonjuiced
1/2cupgrated parmesan cheeseplus more for garnish
Kosher salt to taste
freshly ground black pepperto taste
FOR THE GARLIC BREAD
1/2cup butter1 stick
3clove garlicminced
1loafFrench bread halved lengthwise
Instructions
Add the olive oil to a large sauté pan and place over medium-high heat. Cook sausage, onions, and mushrooms until meat is browned and all the liquid in the pan is evaporated, about 15 minutes.
Add all the tomatoes to meat mixture. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes, uncovered. Taste and correct for salt.
Toss cooked pasta in sauce, adding 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese, all the Parmesan cheese, and the chopped basil. Mix well to incorporate.
Pour pasta into a 9x13 inch baking dish and top with remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes, or until pasta is heated through and cheese is melted.
For the caesar salad:
To make the croutons, pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees. Heat a small saute pan over medium heat and add the olive oil and mashed garlic. Just before the garlic begins to brown, remove the pan from heat. Let stand 10 minutes.
Meanwhile line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut the French bread into 1-inch cubes and spread on the baking sheet in a single layer. Remove garlic from the pan and drizzle the garlic oil over the croutons. Toss cubes to evenly coat. Season with salt and pepper. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.
To make the dressing, start by placing the raw egg in boiling water for 30 seconds. Crack the egg into the bowl of a food processor, then add garlic, anchovies, and mustard. Blend until smooth. In a thin stream add olive oil and blend until dressing is thick and all the olive oil is gone (alternately use a bowl and a whisk). Stir in lemon juice and parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper.
Place some of the dressing in a large bowl. Add some lettuce and croutons. Toss until well coated. Plate and repeat for the remaining lettuce.
Using a peeler, make curls of parmesan cheese to garnish salads if desired.
For the garlic bread:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Place butter and garlic in a small bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds or until butter is almost melted. Spoon over cut side of bread. Place bread, cut side up on baking sheet.
Bake for 5 minutes, then broil until golden brown on top. Cut into slices.
Reheating Instructions
For the pasta, heat in the microwave on medium-high power until heated through. Toss salad with dressing only when ready to serve. Wrap garlic bread in foil and heat in a 350 degree oven for 10-15 minutes.