Ingredients

  • 16 ounces rigatoni pasta
  • 1 - 1 1/4 lb sweet mild Italian sausage (bulk or links with the casings removed)
  • 4 slices slightly crisp bacon, chopped fine (or you may use bacon bits instead)
  • 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
  • 2 (8 ounce) cans tomato sauce
  • 1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
  • 1 (14 1/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes (if you like it hot) (optional) or (14 1/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes with mild green chilies (if you like it hot) (optional)
  • 3 garlic cloves (more if you like garlic)
  • 2 large onions
  • 4 stalks celery
  • 2 bell peppers
  • 4 tablespoons dried parsley
  • 2 tablespoons dried sweet basil leaves
  • 1 tablespoon crushed fennel seed
  • 1/2 teaspoon thyme (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon allspice
  • pepper
  • 1/4 cup olive oil (to keep pasta from sticking)
  • water (as needed, to keep sauce from becoming too thick)
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil (if needed in braising the sausage) (optional)

Method

  • Chop vegetables fine and saute in 1/4 cup olive oil until soft.
  • Set aside.
  • In a large skillet braise and break sausage into small pieces.
  • Add olive oil if needed to prevent sticking.
  • When thoroughly browned, add tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato-paste, vegetables, spices, bacon bits and one-cup water.
  • Simmer for one hour, stirring occasionally.
  • Add water as needed to maintain sauce consistency.
  • To cook the rigatoni: Add 1/4 cup olive oil to twice the amount of unsalted boiling water necessary to cover the rigatoni.
  • Cook rigatoni al dente according to package directions (about 8-10 minutes.) When rigatoni is al dente, drain, toss with sauce and place on large serving dish.
  • You also can store in twelve GLAD 8 oz containers or six GLAD 16 oz containers for freezer storage.
  • The aroma of the frozen servings is even more pleasing as they reheat in a microwave oven.
  • A fresh tomato salad with a balsamic vinaigrette dressing completes the meal.