Today I wanted to share a recipe that is close to my heart, Sausage Stuffed Jumbo Rigatoni Pasta. I had trouble finding large enough rigatoni, which is a tube shaped pasta, so the jumbo rigatoni are actually lasagna noodles. They are filled with flavorful Italian sausage and rolled up then topped with Ragu Sweet Italian Sausage and Cheese Sauce and melted mozzarella. This dish is inspired by my Italian heritage, from my father and grandfather. Our family loves to cook and eat together, we spend a lot of time talking, laughing, and making memories in the kitchen. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the chance to grow up with my Grandpa Al, who I met later in life. But in the time I did spend with him, I learned that he loved sharing stories, eating good food, and that his Italian background and family memories were very near and dear to him. 

My father, for as long as I can remember, has been the cook in our family. He loves Italian food {no surprise there} and a hearty, flavorful casserole is the way to his heart! So after eating a dish similar to this at an Italian restaurant, I decided to recreate it at home. To me, and I am sure my Dad and grandfather would agree, no food is better than a good pasta. Except a good pasta with an equally good sauce. So when Ragu contacted me to work with them on their Simmered in Tradition campaign, I knew that combining Ragu’s pasta sauce with my stuffed rigatoni pasta was going to be a match made in food heaven!Did you know? 

Ragu pasta sauce stems from a family recipe made with farm grown ingredients and contains no artificial flavors, no artificial colors, and no high fructose corn syrup.

 

Assunta Cantisano made the voyage from Italy to America with a little something extra up her sleeve, her family’s recipe for tomato sauce– a secret and sublime combination of vine-ripened tomatoes, fresh basil, fennel, garlic and ground pepper, meticulously writing down every detail and hiding it for safe passage. It survived the long journey and even during the Great Depression Assunta was able to keep her family’s heritage, tradition, and memories alive. She made and sold the sauce herself and it was loved by everyone who tried it. Today Ragú pasta sauce has been on shelves over 80 years and is still America’s number one! 

Ragu. Crafted with Passion. Simmered in Tradition. 

To learn more about Assunta, her sauce, and her story visit the Ragu website.

The last photo of my Dad, me, and Grandpa Al. Do you see a resemblance?  Like Assunta we want to keep our family’s heritage and traditions alive with our recipes and memories.

I used a package of five Sweet Italian Sausages for this recipe.

Remove sausage from the casings and crumble in a skillet. 

Cook over medium heat until browned. 

Remove to a paper towel lined plate to drain.

Now add diced onion to the hot skillet.

 You can use the sausage drippings to saute them or drain and add olive oil.

Cook until softened, about 5 minutes then add garlic. 

Cook for about 2 minutes or until browned then remove from heat. 

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

Add lasagna sheets and cook until done about 8 minutes or according to the package directions. 

Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray.

Drain the pasta and lay each sheet flat on a baking sheet (or you can use a cutting board/s) to cool.

In a food processor or blender add 3/4 of the sausage (about 3 of the 5 links worth), the ricotta cheese, and the onion and garlic mixture. Season with salt and pepper. 

Pulse until creamy.

You want a smooth texture so stir and blend again if needed to remove any chunks.

Add 1/2 the jar of Ragù pasta sauce to the bottom of a 

9X13 baking dish, spreading to cover.

Add a large spoonful of the sausage mixture on the end of each half lasagna sheet.

Roll up and place the rigatoni seam side down in rows

 in the baking dish.

You should be able to fit about 18-20 in your dish.

Stir together the remaining sausage crumbles and the remaining 

Ragù pasta sauce in a bowl. 

Pour on top of the rigatoni, spreading to cover. 

Add all the shredded mozzarella cheese on top, covering the pasta.

Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes.

Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes.

Until the cheese is melted all over.

Cut into portions and serve hot.

Visit the Ragu website for more information.
Enter your unique Ragu recipe in the Food.com recipe contest.

 We were still staying in Florida for the holidays, so for New Year’s Eve this year Ava and I decided on a low key night with my parents. Dinner out, early fireworks, then bed for Ava and champagne and a movie for my parents and I. When midnight rolled around, my Mom and I were the only ones still awake to countdown to the New Year. Way different from a few years ago! Man, my 30s really are different than my 20s!

But, I wouldn’t trade my calmer life-and mommyhood- for anything!

~ The only thing missing was my kiss at midnight from Ashton! ~

On New Years Day, my family traditionally makes a big dinner, usually ham or turkey, and always served with Mama’s Hoppin’ John. This year we changed it up a bit. My Dad made prime rib and sweet potatoes, Mom made her Hoppin’ John with rice and I made Cheddar Bay Garlic Biscuits, Egg Nog, and, for the first time, Collard Greens.

Collards Greens are traditionally served with Black Eyed Peas, or Hoppin’ John, on New Years Day to bring good luck. Collard Greens represent wealth because they look like folded money. Well then, bring on the collard greens, I say!

As a Southern girl I know I’m supposed to love Collards but ever since I tasted an overcooked, burned batch 20+ years ago I haven’t tried them again. But my Uncle Mike, one of my cooking mentors, made some after Thanksgiving and they were delish! So using his recipe I made my first pot of greens on New Years Day and they were a hit! I recommend serving them with bread (I prefer cornbread or biscuits) to soak up the juices.

 

Rinse your greens well! The last thing you want it gritty collard greens!

I like to soak them in the sink for 10 minutes, rinse, and drain well.

Chop onions and cook in a large pot with butter.

Cook down for 5 minutes then add 2 garlic cloves.

Finally add all the remaining ingredients, including the washed Collard Greens to the pot.

The pot will be full to the top but don’t worry it will cook down. 

Once it comes to a boil, turn the temp down to low and cook for 2 hours.

Collards are ready for eatin’!

It’s a tradition in my house to serve Mama’s Hoppin’ John on New Years Day. This dish, cooked in a Crock-pot, is said to bring good luck!

Cheddar Bay Garlic Biscuits are perfect for serving with Collards to soak up the juices!

Dad roasted a fantastic Prime Rib and served it with a side of horseradish sour cream.

My absolute favorite and a dish I look forward to every year: Mama’s Hoppin’ John!

 

Dinner is served! Here’s to a happy and lucky New Year!

Even Ava ate some! Nom,nom,nom!

Sushi Buffet Dinner in Destin for New Year’s Eve. 

Dad’s favorite place in town (and I will never pass up yummy sushi!) .

My silly Dad enjoying his Miso Soup.

 

Miss Ava tried her first steamed crab leg and loved it! She’s already a fan of salmon and shrimp. She’s going to be a seafood lover like her Mama! I was eating Lobster at 2!

Mommy and baby selfies!

Mom and Dad making a Sake toast!

Family pictures at the buffet! Haha that’s how we roll! (Get it “roll” at a sushi place?!)

We stopped at HarborWalk in Destin to watch the early firework display 

but since it was raining and freezing we decided to watch from the car.

Back at home, a champagne toast by the fire pit to end our night! 

It’s a tradition in my family to eat Hoppin’ John on New Year’s Day. This is my Mom’s recipe, made in the Crock-Pot.

All dressed up and ready for dinner!

Dinner and drinks with friends!

Being silly~

Jason, Crystal, and Nathan.

My sweet friend, Nathan!

Ashton and I

What an amazing night! I love you guys!

Mama’s Hoppin’ John New Years recipe:

It’s a tradition in my family to eat Hoppin’ John on New Year’s Day. 

Here’s a little tidbit from Wikipedia:

My Gma enjoying her New Year’s Day dinner!

A plate of deliciousness!

Thanks for sharing your recipe Mama!