Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Spicy Sausage Rigatoni, With Some Small Changes Added

Yesterday I went to my Mom's and we spent the day together. Mom made this delicious pasta dish for us. I will be making it again at my house soon. But a word of warning, if you are a little wimpy like me when it comes to hot and spicy, then I suggest using the mild sausage in this dish.
Here is the recipe, and if I am leaving anything out, I will correct it as soon as I talk to my Mom.
I wasn't in there while she was cooking. She kept saying she didn't need help, and I skeedattled on out. She is loving the fact that she CAN stand in her kitchen and cook again, so I just waited for the good smells to reach my plate!
1 box large rigatoni, cooked al dente
brown 2 packages of sausage, either spicy or mild
saute some garlic in pan along with sausage
add one can diced tomatoes after browned
S to taste and 1 tsp red pepper flakes
about 4 tsp. balsamic vinegar, then turn to low and let simmer about 10 min.
Meanwhile cook pasta al dente
After pasta is done, scoop 1/2 cup or so of pasta water from pot and add to meat. ( I always do this with any pasta dish)
Add one full bag of arugula to meat mixture, and wilt down. Drain pasta and add sauce, and serve.
Would be good with some fresh parm on top too. This was ever so tasty, although I had to down two full glasses of water to put the fire out for me, but the dish was flavorful and comforting!
Perfect ending to our day. Thanks Mom!
*** Some changes to note:
I had planned to make Pam's sesame ginger chicken tonight, but did not make it to the market early enough to get the rest of the ingredients I needed and then have time to marinate it before cooking, so I bought what I needed to make Mom's rigatoni again. Only this time, I used TURKEY mild sausage, to not only make it less spicy, but also to reduce some calories in it. It was heavenly again, and everyone loved it. Including Drew and Diana who stopped by after church for a nice big plate of it too. I did add fresh basil to ours as a garnish before serving, along with some shredded parmesan.
Gennifer, you would love this, and with the turkey sausage, it is not spicy at all. Just full of flavor!!!!
Mama....this is a winner recipe!!!

8 comments:

Janene said...

My keyboard almost shorted out from the drool that was running from my mouth!
That looks and sounds delicious!
Thank's Kris and her Mom for such a wonderful recipe!

Lauri said...

That sounds so, so good right now. I might have to make that for dinner tonight. Thanks for the recipe.

Debbie said...

Sounds WONDERFUL though I will admit I would go with the mild sausage too. I guess I too am whimpy. haha I don't want to be as I love the way it tastes, but my throat does not cooperate. Just another recipe to store in my little head till I finish this dumb diet. I love to spend a quiet day with my mom too.

Pam said...

I am starving - this would make the most delicious dinner. It looks great!

Genn said...

Looks good, but I'm with you... I don't like the spicy!

Karine said...

Great way to use rigatoni! Thanks for sharing :)

Kelly said...

sounds good, but i dont like sausage... maybe i could use beef. i still want to make those potatoes u posted about last week! glad to hear your mom is doing better, too!

Maryrose said...

Sounds good...I never met pasta I didn't like. I think I must be part Italian.. tee hee