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make rigatoni all'ortolana recipe
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Rigatoni all’ Ortolana

Rigatoni all'Ortolana, or vegetarian ragu is a dish made by cooking fresh garden vegetables and peeled tomato sauce before mixing them with your choice of pasta. This recipe is a must-try for anyone seeking a vegetarian pasta delight that doesn't compromise on flavor.

Equipment

  • Large pan or pot
  • Chopping-board
  • Sharp knife
  • wooden spoon
  • Lid for the pot
  • Mug for pasta water
  • Serving Bowl

Ingredients

  • 500 grams Rigatoni Pasta 18oz. or your favorite short pasta shape
  • ½ Zucchini 150g
  • ½ Eggplant 150g
  • ½ Red bell pepper 150g
  • ¼ Onion chopped
  • 1 Small carrot chopped
  • 1 Celery stick chopped
  • 5-6 tablespoons Extra virgin olive oil EVOO
  • 1 Garlic clove
  • 3 Cans blended peeled tomatoes.
  • Pecorino cheese As much as preferred
  • Basil As much as preferred
  • Salt & pepper As much as required
  • 1 tablespoon sea salt to boil pasta.

Instructions

  • Cut the zucchini, eggplant, and red bell pepper into cubes.
  • Add 5 to 6 tablespoons of EVOO to the pan and toss in chopped onions, carrots, and celery to cook Sofrito. Let them cook on medium heat for about 10 minutes or until they are nice and soft.
  • Add a splash of water to prevent veggies from burning.
  • Cover the pot and let it cook for 10 minutes on medium-high, stirring occasionally to ensure they are not burning.
  • After seven minutes, change the heat to medium-low, add a splash of water, and add crushed garlic to the pot.
  • Add capsicum, zucchini, and eggplant to the pot and gently stir everything.
  • Add a generous amount of salt. Stir and add a splash of water. Stir it again and cover the pot with a lid.
  • Let it cook for 15-20 minutes, depending on how hot your cooktop is.
  • Make sure the ingredients don’t stick to the bottom of the pan. Keep stirring, and add a little bit more water to prevent the ingredients from burning.
  • When vegetables turn soft, slowly add the peeled tomato sauce, mix everything, and add salt and pepper. Cover the pot with a lid and let the sauce cook for 20-30 minutes on medium-low heat.
  • While the sauce is simmering, boil the rigatoni pasta. Follow the instructions on the package to boil the pasta. It will take 30 minutes to cook.
  • Turn off the flame when you get a nice thick sauce.
  • Break the basil leaves, add them to the pasta sauce, and remove it from the stove.
  • Meanwhile, drain the pasta. Keep a mug full of pasta water aside for later use.
  • Add pasta to the sauce. Stir well to coat the pasta with the sauce. Add a generous amount of pecorino cheese and toss the pot to let the pasta and sauce meld together. Finish with more basil for extra flavor.
  • Add vegetarian ragu to the serving bowl and top it with more pecorino. Serve and enjoy!

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