Angela's Italian Recipe for Baked Rigatoni with Sausage and Mushrooms

Baked Rigatoni with Sausage and Mushrooms
(For Large Gatherings)
(Rigatoni al Forno con Salsiccia e Funghi)


Ingredients:

4 ounces dried porcini mushrooms 4 cups hot water 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 4 large onions, finely chopped 5 lbs hot Italian sausages, casings removed 4 lbs button mushrooms, sliced 4 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary 2 cups dry white wine 4 bay leaves 28 ounces beef broth 4 cups half and half 4 lbs rigatoni 6 cups freshly grated Parmigiano cheese Additional grated Parmigiano cheese Fresh rosemary sprigs (for garnish)

Directions:

Rinse porcini mushrooms. Place in medium bowl. Add 4 cups hot water, cover, and let stand until softened, about 20 minutes. Drain, reserving soaking liquid. Chop porcini mushrooms. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in each of 2 heavy large pots over medium heat. Divide onions between pots; saute until tender, about 10 minutes. Divide sausage between pots. Increase heat to high and cook until no longer pink, breaking up into small pieces with back of fork, about 12 minutes. Divide button mushrooms and chopped rosemary between pots and stir until mushrooms begin to soften, about 8 minutes. Divide porcini, wine, and bay leaves between pots and boil until almost all liquid evaporates, stirring frequently, about 6 minutes. Divide porcini soaking liquid between pots, leaving sediment behind. Divide beef broth between pots. Boil until sauce is syrupy, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes. Divide half and half between pots; boil until thickened slightly, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. (Sauce can be made 1 day ahead. Cool slightly, then cover and chill. Rewarm before continuing.) Brush four 3 and 1/2-quart glass or porcelain baking dishes with olive oil. Cook pasta in 2 large pots of boiling salted water until 'al dente', stirring occasionally. Drain. Divide pasta between sauce in pots; stir to coat. Mix 3 cups cheese into each pot. Season pasta with salt and pepper. Divide among prepared baking dishes. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before continuing.) Preheat oven to 375°F. Cover dishes with foil. Bake pasta just until hot but not bubbling, about 25 minutes. Sprinkle with additional cheese. Garnish with rosemary sprigs and serve with additional cheese. Makes 25 servings.