Rigatoni Alla Toto

Tonight I made Rigatoni Alla Toto, from the cookbook America’s Test Kitchen.  This is quickly becoming a family favorite.  The best part was the whole meal was amazing, filling and super affordable.

Here’s the recipe:

3 Tbl. EVOO
1 Small onion, finely chopped
1 lb Sweet Italian sausage, with our without fennel, casings removed
1 c. dry white wine
A few basil leaves
pinch of fennel if using plain sausage
1 1/2 c. heavy cream
salt
1 lb. Rigatoni
1/2 grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

Heat the oil in skillet over medium heat.  Add the onion and cook until translucent, 3 to 4 minutes.  Add the sausage, brown, then the wine and cook for 1 minute.  Add the basil, ground fennel if using, and cream and simmer over low heat for 20 minutes or until sausage is cooked through.

Bring a large pot of salted water to boil, add pasta and cook according to directions on box.  Drain well and toss with sauce.  Serve with Parmigiano-Reggiano.

And ENJOY!!

Best part of this meal…the whole thing was under $5, and I cooked with wine.

Onion 25¢
Sweet Italian Sausage $1.75 – bought on sale with a coupon
white wine $1
basil off my plant
cream 50¢
pasta FREE
grated cheese – I didn’t use any, the guys did let’s call it 25¢

Salad
lettuce 89¢-although I didn’t use it all- so 50¢
dressing-I made it about $1
I have Tangerine Balsamic Vinegar and Blood Orange Olive Oil both of which are “Money 4 This” items. Each bottle is about $22 and it goes a long ways.  I have had these since October.

So the total with salad is looking like $5.25 for all 4 of us.  I also had a glass of wine with my dinner making my portion $2.31.

I often times use the Charles Shaw ($2.99) wine from Traders Joes to cook with, but today I tried a different one. It’s Panilonco and it’s $3.99 a bottle.  I also bought the Malbec/Merlot.  I love the Malbecs.  I was able to sample these and really liked them and because the price was so good I got a few for cooking.  I really like to cook with wine as it gives food real depth.

Linked to 5 Dollar Dinners

Tempt My Tummy
Tasty Tuesday