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Rigatoni with Slow-Cooked Meat Sauce

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Rigatoni with Slow-Cooked Meat Sauce is a hearty Italian pasta dish featuring tender rigatoni noodles smothered in a rich, flavorful sauce made with ground meats, tomatoes, and aromatic herbs, slowly simmered to perfection.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound rigatoni pasta
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1/2 pound ground pork
  • 1/4 cup tomato paste
  • 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup red wine (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (for serving)
  • Fresh parsley or basil for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes.
  2. Add garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
  3. Add ground beef and pork, breaking up the meat with a spoon. Cook until browned and cooked through.
  4. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes to deepen the flavor.
  5. Add crushed tomatoes and red wine. Stir in oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
  6. Reduce heat to low and let the sauce simmer uncovered for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
  7. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook rigatoni according to package directions until al dente. Drain well.
  8. Add cooked rigatoni to the sauce and toss to coat evenly.
  9. Serve hot with grated Parmesan cheese and garnish with fresh herbs if desired.

Notes

  • For deeper flavor, cook the sauce a day in advance and reheat before serving.
  • You can substitute ground beef or pork with Italian sausage.
  • Make it gluten-free by using gluten-free pasta.

Nutrition

Keywords: rigatoni, meat sauce, slow cooked, Italian pasta, comfort food

Find it online: https://yumcove.com/rigatoni-with-slow-cooked-meat-sauce/