Ingredients
  • 2 large red bell peppers
  • 2 tablespoons EVOO Extra Virgin Olive Oil, plus more for drizzling
  • 3/4 pound bulk hot Italian sausage
  • 1/2 pound ground beef sirloin
  • 1 small red onion, chopped
  • 3 to 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
  • 1 hot cherry pepper, seeded and chopped or 1 Fresno chili pepper, thinly sliced
  • Salt and black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup spicy red wine
  • 1 28-ounce can or 2 15-ounce cans diced fire-roasted tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup beef stock
  • 1 pound rigatoni pasta
  • Pecorino-Romano cheese, for serving
  • A generous handful flat-leaf parsley, chopped
Preparation

Char the bell peppers under a broiler or directly over a high stove top flame to blacken all over, turning occasionally. Place the charred peppers in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let cool. Peel and discard skins and seeds. Quarter the peppers lengthwise, then slice crosswise into strips.

In a Dutch oven, heat EVOO over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and beef, and brown, crumbling the meat as it cooks, 7-8 minutes. Stir in the onion, garlic and hot pepper until softened; season with salt and pepper. Stir in the tomato paste for 1 minute, then add the wine and reduce for 1 minute. Add the tomatoes, stock and bell peppers; simmer to thicken.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt it, add the pasta and cook until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup cooking water. Add pasta and reserved cooking water to the sauce, and toss for 1-2 minutes.

Serve in shallow bowls with lots of cheese and the parsley. Gild the lily with an extra drizzle of EVOO.

Serve with New Belgium Fat Tire beer