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Home » Main Course » Meat

Published: Jun 13, 2017 · Updated: Jul 15, 2020 · May contain affiliate links

Sausage Rigatoni with Plums

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"This hearty sausage rigatoni is given a summer twist with the addition of fresh and juicy plums. You could leave them out, but for heaven's sake, why?"
Sausage Rigatoni with Plums

This sausage rigatoni with plums is a delicious and creative summer pasta.

It's been awhile since I posted a pasta recipe. With my favorite pasta lover out of the house, I just don't make it as often.

So it was with glee that I was sent this recipe to try from the folks at Hestan. Goes without saying that I'm always happy to try pasta!

I've made something similar before but never have I thought of adding fresh plums to rigatoni. Now plum tomatoes-yes. But not sweet, juicy plums. Must admit that these are a perfect way to add summer to a steaming flavorful pot of pasta.

This isn't a heavy sauce, nor is it a light sauce. In fact there isn't much liquid in this recipe at all.

Just giant chunks of sausage-I used Italian-but plain old pork sausage was what was called for.

Sausage Rigatoni with plums in a skillet

From there it contains the standards-onion, garlic and a bit of tomato. Yes there is some cheese, but just a bit to tie everything together and add a touch of saltiness. I think this sausage rigatoni is not just a pretty face-but a pretty good tasting one too!

Feel free to substitute pastas but it should be a hearty one. In my opinion ,rigatoni was the perfect receptacle for this meaty sauce.

This rigatoni recipe was created by Chef Brad Spence of  Vetri Restaurants in Philadelphia, which was another reason I had to try it.

Zoe and I had the pleasure to eat at the flagship restaurant for her 22nd birthday. She has been back many times but I guess I must visit again for that to happen!

It was a memorable meal and I knew this recipe would be memorable also. I have no doubt that as soon as Zoe returns from Hong Kong she will be eating pizza at Pizza Vetri and I also know that Vetri restaurants are some of her favorites. Check them out if you are in the City of Brotherly Love. You won't be disappointed.

Sausage Rigatoni with Plums this …

My Hestan skillet performed perfectly. So easy to clean, I'd almost think it was non-stick, though it was still able to brown my sausage perfectly.

I was even able to cook at a lower temperature because it conducts heat so well. Just one small detail and that is that 1 pound of rigatoni and sauce did not fit in my 11" skillet.

So I admit to pouring it back in the skillet after I tossed all the delicious components together in my pasta pot. Perhaps they should send me the larger skillet or a pasta pot?!

After just having my lunch of reheated rigatoni, I'm off to do some errands. This week is Father's Day and though I'm not buying any gifts-wish I could buy him us a new grill as ours is at least 25 years old. That would be fun to shop for, but no, I'm off to buy a few more things to plant, and another trap for Japanese beetles.  Just want to make sure my yard looks good when this folly is finished.

Manservant thought it would be done yesterday but a swamp cooler failure on a 95 degree day held him up. After buying a new pump, he installed it, and then realized it wasn't the pump, but the inside switch that went bad.

Luckily he's very good at replacing switches, but it took him all day to find the problem!

Yes, this is the first in many years that Manservant is home for Father's Day and I have nothing planned.  I do however anticipate the painting of an office this week and the staining of a concrete floor.

I think that's a good enough present, don't you?

 
Sausage Rigatoni with Plums

A Few More Pastas:
  Summer Tomato Lasagna    

Summer Tomato Lasagna

 Summer Corn Pasta with Burrata   

Summer Corn Pasta with Buratta

Grilled Lemon Shrimp Pasta

    Grilled lemon Shrimp Pasta          

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Sausage Rigatoni

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Sausage rigatoni with lums

Sausage Rigatoni with Plums

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  • Author: Abbe Odenwalder
  • Prep Time: 10 Minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 Minutes
  • Total Time: 30 Minutes
  • Yield: 4 - 6 Servings 1x
  • Category: Main COurse
  • Method: Stove Top
  • Cuisine: American
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Description

This hearty rigatoni is given a summer twist with the addition of fresh and juicy plums. You could leave them out, but for heaven's sake, why?

Ingredients

Scale


1 lb rigatoni

1 lb fresh Italian sausage



½ c olive oil

1 sliced onion

3 cloves sliced garlic

8 oz San Marzano canned plum tomatoes with juice

1 c grated Pecorino, or Parmigiana,

¼ c chopped Italian parsley

5 thinly sliced plums



Instructions

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add salt to taste. It should taste like the sea as this gives your pasta flavor!

In a large skillet over medium high heat, add ¼ olive oil and heat for 30 seconds.

Add crumbled pork and sear until well browned, stirring every now and then. You do want this to get a good sear, though!

When sausage is browned, add onions and garlic and cook for 5 minutes. Do not burn garlic!

Add tomatoes to mixture and lower heat to low.

Start your rigatoni cooking. Cook for 1 minute less than package directions, as it will finish cooking in the sauce.

Add pasta to sauce and add some pasta water if you want a thinner sauce. I also added a bit more sauce from the tomatoes.

After tossing stir in other ¼ c of olive oil, parsley, plums and half the cheese. Serve with remaining cheese!


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  1. Holly @ abakershouse.com says

    June 21, 2017 at 10:15 pm

    Plums sound like the magic ingredient that made this dish special-- great twist on a pasta favorite!

    Reply
  2. Healthy World Cuisine says

    June 16, 2017 at 8:26 pm

    Never thought to add plums to the pasta but I can so see how the delicate sweetness provides the balance in the dish next to the acidic tomatoes. Totally cool pan too!

    Reply
  3. Ritu Ahuja says

    June 16, 2017 at 12:28 pm

    Wow!! It looks awesome. Soooo delicious. Love the addition of plum in it. 🙂

    Reply
  4. Gerlinde de Broekert says

    June 15, 2017 at 5:12 am

    I never had plums with pasta and sausages. I definitely have to try this one .

    Reply
  5. Juliana says

    June 14, 2017 at 7:16 pm

    I have never thought in adding plum in pasta sauce...but now I can see how summer like and a touch of sweetness would be really nice and welcomed...thanks for the inspiration Abbe.
    I hope you are having a great week 🙂

    Reply
  6. ANDY GIBBS says

    June 14, 2017 at 6:50 pm

    Great post! It looks quite hearty and i think the addition of plums is a great idea

    Reply
  7. Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen says

    June 14, 2017 at 6:31 pm

    I love the addition of plums here! Sweet and savory is a great combo. Happy Father's Day to Manservant :). Can't wait to see the folly!

    Reply
  8. GiGi Eats Celebrities says

    June 14, 2017 at 4:59 pm

    All I want right now is SAUSAGE - dipped in..... GUACAMOLE! 😉 Cause I mean, sausages and creamy sauce - WHY NOT?! 😉

    Reply
  9. kankana says

    June 14, 2017 at 4:28 pm

    Never paired plums with pasta. Very interesting flavor combo. Got to try 🙂

    Reply
  10. Agness of Run Agness Run says

    June 14, 2017 at 2:36 pm

    I love pasta but I have never tried this recipe, Abbe! Delicious idea!

    Reply
  11. Angie Schneider says

    June 14, 2017 at 2:01 pm

    I love the creative use of plums in this pasta dish here.Sweet and savoury are always great together.

    Reply
  12. Kim | The Baking ChocolaTess says

    June 14, 2017 at 12:16 pm

    Oh how genius with the plums and it looks so pretty! I am a pasta junkie besides a dessert freak (haha), so I pinned this for later! 🙂 YUM!!!

    Reply
  13. Anu - My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says

    June 14, 2017 at 11:37 am

    I have never had past with plums. Such a wonderful innovation, Abbe. I am sure it tastes wonderful. I am sure this pasta would make a great summer meal.

    Reply
  14. Tricia Buice says

    June 14, 2017 at 11:32 am

    I bet your husband will be thrilled with whatever you do for him on Father's Day - especially since he is normally traveling and spending it without family. Handy men are the best! Love this recipe too Abbe - especially with the addition of the plums - I say don't leave out the plums! Have a terrific weekend.

    Reply
  15. Lavender and Lime (http://tandysinclair.com) says

    June 14, 2017 at 5:22 am

    I am not so convinced about the plums! Just cannot imagine fruit in a savoury pasta dish. But the rest of the ingredients appeal. Have a super Father's Day weekend.

    Reply
  16. Kitchen Riffs says

    June 13, 2017 at 9:52 pm

    Plums?! What a great idea! I've been putting fruit in a lot of stuff this summer, but not pasta. Now you have me thinking. 🙂 This looks terrific -- thanks.

    Reply
  17. Mary Frances says

    June 13, 2017 at 9:52 pm

    Always love seeing new combinations, and this doesn't sound bad at all!

    Reply
  18. Cheri Savory Spoon says

    June 13, 2017 at 8:47 pm

    I bet the plums add a wonderful flavor to this dish Abbe, always like reading about your adventures. Can't wait to see the folly when it is completed. And that Hestan is a very nice pan.

    Reply
  19. Liz Berg says

    June 13, 2017 at 8:06 pm

    Wow, I'd definitely love the sweetness from the plums---not all that unlike the sweetness from tomatoes! Hope your folly is completed soon---can't wait to see the finished product 🙂

    Reply
  20. Chris Scheuer says

    June 13, 2017 at 7:20 pm

    Plums, what a wonderful idea! This looks amazing and so unique!

    Reply
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Sausage Rigatoni with Plums