Rigatoni With Sausage and Ricotta
- 3 Italian sausages (hot or sweet, about 12 oz.)
- 12 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 lb rigatoni pasta or 1 lb penne pasta
- 1 cup fresh ricotta
- fresh ground black pepper
- freshly grated pecorino romano cheese
- Remove the casings from the sausage and break up the meat into small bits in a bowl.
- Add 6 cups cold water and stir well to combine.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil for the pasta.
- Transfer the sausage and the water in which it has been soaking to a large straight-sided saute pan.
- Sprinkle with salt.
- Bring to a boil and cook, stirring often, until half the water has evaporated and the sausage is completely cooked.
- The bits of meat should be well bathed in liquid.
- Be careful not to reduce it too much.
- Taste and add salt if necessary.
- Set aside over very low heat to keep warm.
- Generously salt the pasta water and drop in the rigatoni.
- Boil the pasta, stirring frequently, until it is al dente; drain and toss into the saute pan with the sausage mixture.
- Cook, stirring frequently, over low heat for 2 minutes to allow the pasta to absorb some of the flavor from the sausage.
- Off the heat, fold in 1/2 cup of the ricotta and a good sprinklin of pepper.
- Spoon the pasta into warmed individual bowls or a heated serving bowl.
- Dot with the remaining ricotta and serve right away with Pecorino Romano.
- Pass the peppermill at the table for a little more spice.
italian sausages, salt, rigatoni pasta, fresh ricotta, fresh ground black pepper, pecorino romano cheese
Taken from www.food.com/recipe/rigatoni-with-sausage-and-ricotta-496274 (may not work)