Hearty Rigatoni with Savory Vegetable Bolognese
This comforting Hearty Rigatoni with Savory Vegetable Bolognese is a delightful twist on a classic Italian dish. Featuring a medley of fresh vegetables, earthy mushrooms, and a touch of creamy mascarpone, this pasta dish is both satisfying and nutritious. Perfect for a family dinner or a gathering with friends, it brings together the rich flavors of a traditional bolognese without the meat, making it an excellent choice for vegetarians and those looking to incorporate more vegetables into their meals. Served with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, it promises to be a hit at your table. Plus, it's ready in under 60 minutes!
8
Servings
N/A
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
Dried Porcini Mushrooms
1 ounce (soaked in hot water)
Hot Water
1 1/2 cups (for soaking mushrooms)
Carrots
3 (peeled and chopped)
Onion
1 (peeled and chopped)
Red Bell Pepper
1 (seeded and chopped)
Garlic Cloves
2 (peeled)
Olive Oil
1/4 cup (for sautéing)
Chopped Fresh Thyme
2 teaspoons (fresh)
Chopped Fresh Oregano
1 teaspoon (fresh)
Salt
2 teaspoons (to taste)
Fresh Ground Black Pepper
1 teaspoon (to taste)
Assorted Fresh Mushrooms
5 ounces (stemmed and chopped (e.g., shiitake, cremini, brown))
Tomato Paste
2 tablespoons (for sauce)
Red Wine
1/2 cup (to add depth of flavor)
Mascarpone Cheese
1/2 cup (for creaminess)
Rigatoni Pasta
1 lb (for the main dish)
Parmesan Cheese
1/4 cup (for serving)
Instructions
1
Begin by placing the dried porcini mushrooms in a small bowl, covering them with 1 1/2 cups of very hot water. Allow them to soak to soften, about 20 minutes.
2
While the mushrooms are soaking, prepare the vegetable mixture. In a food processor, combine the chopped carrots, onion, red bell pepper, and garlic cloves. Pulse until finely chopped yet still maintaining some texture.
3
Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the processed vegetables along with thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper. Sauté for approximately 6 to 7 minutes, or until the vegetables become tender.
4
After the porcini mushrooms have softened, strain them and reserve the soaking liquid. Chop the porcini mushrooms and add them to the skillet along with the assorted chopped fresh mushrooms and the tomato paste. Stir well and cook for another 5 minutes until the mushrooms have softened.
5
Pour in the reserved porcini mushroom soaking liquid and red wine, bringing the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer until the mixture reduces by half, which should take about 10 minutes.
6
Stir in the mascarpone cheese until it's fully incorporated and set the sauce aside.
7
In a separate large pot, bring salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the rigatoni pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes until al dente, stirring occasionally. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid.
8
Combine the drained pasta with the vegetable bolognese sauce in the skillet, adding some of the reserved pasta cooking liquid to achieve your desired sauce consistency. Mix well.
9
Serve the pasta warm, topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Rigatoni with Savory Vegetable Bolognese?
It is a comforting, vegetarian-friendly twist on the classic Italian bolognese dish, utilizing a variety of fresh vegetables and earthy mushrooms instead of meat.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe is designed to serve approximately 8 people.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this dish is completely vegetarian-friendly as it uses mushrooms and vegetables to create a rich, savory sauce.
How long does it take to prepare this meal?
The entire recipe can be completed in under 60 minutes.
What type of pasta should I use?
The recipe specifically calls for rigatoni pasta, which holds the vegetable bolognese sauce well.
How do I prepare the dried porcini mushrooms?
Soak them in 1 1/2 cups of very hot water for about 20 minutes to soften them before chopping.
Should I discard the mushroom soaking liquid?
No, you should strain and reserve the soaking liquid to add back into the sauce for extra flavor.
What is the best way to chop the carrots and onions?
The recipe recommends using a food processor to pulse the carrots, onion, bell pepper, and garlic until finely chopped but still textured.
What fresh mushrooms work best in this bolognese?
A mix of assorted fresh mushrooms such as shiitake, cremini, and brown mushrooms is recommended.
What role does mascarpone cheese play in the recipe?
Mascarpone cheese is stirred into the sauce at the end to provide a rich, creamy consistency and balance the acidity.
Is red wine necessary for this recipe?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of red wine to add depth of flavor and complexity to the vegetable sauce.
How long should the vegetables be sautéed?
Sauté the processed vegetables in olive oil for approximately 6 to 7 minutes or until tender.
What herbs are used for seasoning?
The dish is seasoned with fresh chopped thyme and fresh chopped oregano.
How long do I cook the rigatoni?
Boil the rigatoni in salted water for 8 to 10 minutes until it reaches an al dente texture.
Why should I reserve pasta cooking water?
Reserving about 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid allows you to adjust the sauce consistency when combining it with the pasta.
Can I substitute the red wine?
While the wine adds depth, you could substitute with additional vegetable broth if you prefer an alcohol-free version.
What topping is recommended for serving?
The pasta is best served warm with a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
How many garlic cloves are in the recipe?
This recipe uses 2 peeled garlic cloves, processed with the other vegetables.
What is the total amount of fresh mushrooms needed?
You will need 5 ounces of assorted fresh mushrooms, stemmed and chopped.
What kind of oil should be used for cooking?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of olive oil for sautéing the vegetables.
Does the recipe include tomato ingredients?
Yes, 2 tablespoons of tomato paste are added to the mushroom and vegetable mixture for flavor and color.
How long does the sauce need to simmer?
After adding the wine and mushroom liquid, let the sauce simmer for about 10 minutes until reduced by half.
Is this recipe considered healthy?
Yes, it is tagged as healthy because it incorporates a wide variety of nutrient-dense vegetables and mushrooms.
What size is the package of dried porcini mushrooms?
The recipe requires 1 ounce of dried porcini mushrooms.
How much salt and pepper is recommended?
The recipe suggests 2 teaspoons of salt and 1 teaspoon of fresh ground black pepper, or to taste.
Can this be made in a single skillet?
The sauce is made in a large heavy skillet, and the pasta is boiled separately before being combined in the skillet.
What is the texture of the vegetable bolognese?
It is hearty and thick, with finely chopped vegetables and mushrooms providing a 'meaty' bite without the meat.
What tags define this recipe?
The recipe is tagged as pasta, vegetarian, Italian, comfort food, quick meal, healthy, and savory.
Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh?
While fresh thyme and oregano are specified, you can use dried herbs, typically using about 1/3 the amount of fresh.
Is this a good dish for a dinner party?
Absolutely; its rich flavors and large yield of 8 servings make it perfect for gatherings with family or friends.