Pasta Bianco Recipes

Steps:

• Put the oil, onion, carrot, celery, garlic, pancetta, bay leaves, rosemary and thyme in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally and scraping the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon, until the pancetta is rendered and cooked, and the vegetables are completely tender and golden, 16 to 18 minutes. (If the vegetables are browning too quickly, lower the heat.)
• Add the ground beef, ground pork and the garam masala and continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the meat is completely broken up and cooked through, and most of the liquid has evaporated, about 10 minutes. Add 1 teaspoon salt and some freshly ground black pepper.
• Add the wine and cook, stirring occasionally, until almost evaporated, 10 to 15 minutes. Add the chicken broth, cream, and the cheese rind if using and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally until the mixture thickens and the flavors come together, about 45 minutes. Discard the bay leaves and cheese rind, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve the Bolognese Bianco tossed with the pasta and more grated Parmigiano.

Steps:

• Add enough oil to a large, deep sauté pan to coat the base and place over medium-high heat. When the oil shimmers, add the onion, carrots and celery and sauté until glassy and just tender, about 5 minutes. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Add the sausage and beef to the pan, breaking it into walnut-size pieces, and brown well.
• Pour in the wine and keep at a rapid simmer until the pan is almost dry. Then pour in 1 1/2 cups beef bouillon and lower the heat to medium. Simmer gently, uncovered, until the bouillon is nearly gone, stirring now and then. Meanwhile, chop the rehydrated porcini into small pieces, reserving the liquid.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add mushroom liquid to the sauce to cover the meat halfway (about 1 cup) along with the porcini and continue simmering until the sauce is loose but not soupy, about 10 minutes. Taste and adjust salt and pepper; it should be highly seasoned. When the consistency is right, fold the cream in. Remove from the heat and cover.
• When the pasta water is at a full boil, add the rigatoni and cook until still firm, but not hard, in the center. When the pasta is almost done, scoop out 1 cup of pasta water and reserve. Drain the pasta and then return it to the pot. Pour the pasta sauce on top and fold in with a wooden spoon. The pasta should not be dry. Add a little pasta water or mushroom liquid to loosen it. (It will continue to soak up sauce on the way to the table.) Serve in one large bowl or in individual bowls, passing the cheese at the table.

Steps:

• Heat onions, garlic, fennel, half the parsley, salt, and olive oil in a large saute pan over medium-low heat.
• Cook, stirring often, about 20 minutes, or until the vegetables are very tender and beginning to brown.
• Increase heat until the vegetables are sizzling and add in the mushrooms; cook for 3 minutes over medium-high heat.
• Add in the beef and cook, stirring often, until the beef loses any pink color and is completely cooked.
• Add in the stock; cover and bring to a boil; decrease heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Taste and add more salt if necessary; set aside over low heat while you cook the pasta.
• Bring a big pot of water to a boil; generously salt water and drop in the rigatoni.
• Cook, stirring often, until al dente.
• Drain pasta and transfer to the saute pan with the sauce.
• If the sauce seems too soupy, reduce it by increasing the heat and cooking briskly for 1-2 minutes; the pasta should be generously bathed in sauce.
• Finely chop the mint and add to the pasta with the remaining parsley.
• Toss and serve right away; pass a bowl of ricotta at the table to dollop on each portion.