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This is the archived version of the Milk Street website and is no longer up to date.

Please visit 177milkstreet.com to see the current website with all of the latest recipes!

Rigatoni alla Zozzona

4 to 6 Servings

40 minutes

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Rigatoni alla zozzona is a classic Roman pasta dish—a mashup of cheesy, porky, egg-rich carbonara and spicy, tomatoey Amatriciana. At Mamma Angelina, a trattoria in Rome, chef Andrea Dell’Omo taught us his version. The sauce requires only a handful of simple ingredients, almost no knifework and comes together speedily. It begins with spicy Italian sausage and cured pork cooked in olive oil; Dell’Omo used guanciale (pork jowl), but pancetta is equally good and easier to source. Canned crushed tomatoes simmer into a savory-sweet sauce. Eggs beaten with pecorino and a little reserved pasta water are added at the end; gentle residual heat cooks everything just enough so it has a rich velvetiness.

4 to 6

Servings

Tip

Don’t boil the pasta until al dente. Drain it when it’s just shy of al dente, as it will finish cooking directly in the sauce. Also, be sure to reserve some of the cooking water before draining the pasta; you will need it to make the sauce. Finally, don’t add the ¼ cup reserved pasta water to the egg mixture before the water has had a chance to cool slightly. If it’s scalding hot, it will curdle the eggs.

40 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1

    pound rigatoni

  • Kosher salt and ground black pepper

Directions

Reviews
NANCY F.
October 2, 2026
Delicious and easy
Thank you for this recipe! It came together easily and it was delicious. I quickly had seconds!
Elizabeth G.
December 11, 2025
Amazing sauce!
This is def one of the best sauces I have ever made. I tweaked it a little. . . . . only used 1/2 lb wide egg noodles and one lb ground pork with my own sausage seasonings. Didn't bother with the pancetta but followed everything else as written, except I used Reggiano instead of Pecorino. Absolutely delish. The egg mixture adds a richness that is amazing. Served it with sauteed broccoli rabe. Fantastic!! A definite keeper!
Chris K.
December 2, 2024
One of the best red sauces I have made. . .
It was pretty straight forward and came out perfect. Leftovers will be fought for. . .
Erin J.
November 10, 2024
Delicious, simple recipe
This was a hit. I made one change - using 2/3 mild Italian sausage and 2/3 hot Italian sausage. Next time, I’ll boil the pasta for a shorter time so it doesn’t overcook in the final stages.
Patricia R.
July 14, 2024
Wonderful!
My husband loved this. I accidentally bought a pound of sausage, so I went ahead and used it. I also used a 28 oz can of San Marzano tomatoes. All else as stated in the recipe. I will make it exactly like I did the next time.

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