Spicy Sausage And Ricotta Pasta Recipe That's Exploding With Flavor

You can never go wrong with pasta. It can be creamy, nutty, savory, and even spicy. This spicy sausage and ricotta pasta by Kristen Carli promises an explosion of flavors. According to her, the dish is "cheesy, saucy, and delicious." Who wouldn't like the sound of that?

The best thing about this recipe is that it uses 'nduja sausage — an Italian delicacy that originated from Calabria and has a tangy flavor. Hence, eating the dish may make you feel like you are in Italy. Especially during the pandemic, where overseas travel is not usually possible, trying a new cuisine can be fun, especially when it's as easy to throw together as this pasta. While Italians consider pasta a first course (served after the appetizer), this spicy sausage and ricotta pasta can also be a meal on its own. This dish is also great for family dinners and special occasions.

To make this tasty spicy sausage and ricotta pasta, there are a few ingredients you need to pick up. Some might already be in your pantry — ingredients like garlic, salt, and pepper. Meanwhile, the other items are available at your local grocery store. Don't forget to pick up crushed tomato with basil, pasta, ricotta cheese, red chili flakes, and shredded mozzarella cheese.

For this recipe, Carli chose rigatoni pasta. However, if you'd like to use another variation, you can do so, but there's a catch. According to Carli, "any other small shape would work well. I wouldn't recommend a long noodle."

If you have never heard of 'nduja in the past, then you might be wondering where you can pick it up. Luckily, it's not as difficult to find as you might suspect. According to Carli, Whole Foods has the sausage. If you have an Italian deli close to you, there's a high chance that they sell the spicy sausage as well. Don't be afraid to check out a few shops to find this special ingredient — trust us, it's worth it.

Before you start cooking, preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. This step will save you time, as you'll have the right heat from the get-go. Your pasta can also cook immediately and properly. Next, it's time to boil the pasta. Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil. Add pasta and cook. Check the package for directions and proper cook time. You'll want to make sure it's a bit al dente by the time you take it out of the water.

While you wait for your pasta to cook, you can also start preparing the other ingredients. In a large bowl, mix your ricotta, 'nduja, crushed tomatoes, a cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese, chili flakes, garlic, salt, and pepper. Stir well. It is also possible to tweak the spiciness. "If you want to amp up the spice a bit, I would recommend throwing in more red chili flakes," says Carli. Once your pasta is ready, drain it and add it to your mixture. Make sure to mix thoroughly. When done, set aside and prepare for baking.

For the next step, spray a large baking dish with a nonstick cooking spray. You can then add the pasta mixture and spread it evenly. Next, add the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the pasta. At this point, your oven is at the right temperature. You can then pop your pasta inside the oven and bake for a maximum of 30 minutes. Make sure to check it occasionally.

After 30 minutes, take your pasta dish out of the oven and serve. According to Carli, the recipe will make about eight servings.