{"url":"https://www.washingtonpost.com/recipes/red-hen-mezzi-rigatoni-fennel-sausage-ragu/","title":"Red Hen's Biden-favorite fennel sausage rigatoni recipe","domain":"washingtonpost.com","imageUrl":"https://images.pexels.com/photos/5640048/pexels-photo-5640048.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&h=650&w=940","pexelsSearchTerm":"fennel sausage rigatoni","category":"Lifestyle","language":"en","slug":"89da26a4","id":"89da26a4-b8bf-46d2-af53-efb17d0b2e34","description":"Washington Post publishes home cook version of Red Hen's fennel sausage ragu with mezzi rigatoni.","summary":"## TL;DR\n- Washington Post publishes home cook version of Red Hen's fennel sausage ragu with mezzi rigatoni.\n- Key ingredients are tomato passata, 1 pound Italian sausage, fennel pollen, and two grated cheeses.\n- Bidens both ordered this pasta at the restaurant, highlighting its appeal.[[1]](https://www.washingtonpost.com/recipes/red-hen-mezzi-rigatoni-fennel-sausage-ragu/)\n\n## The story at a glance\nThe article features a recipe for **Red Hen Mezzi Rigatoni With Fennel Sausage Ragu**, adapted from chef **Michael Friedman** at Washington's Red Hen restaurant. President Biden and first lady Jill Biden both chose this fennel and sausage pasta on a recent visit.[[1]](https://www.washingtonpost.com/recipes/red-hen-mezzi-rigatoni-fennel-sausage-ragu/) It's reported now after their dinner outing drew notice.[[2]](https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/2023/03/17/sausage-rigatoni-pasta-recipe-bidens/)\n\n## Key points\n- Serves **5-6**; calls for **12 ounces** dried mezzi rigatoni (substitutions noted).\n- Sauce base: one **24-ounce jar tomato passata**, **2 teaspoons fennel pollen** (sub with dill or anise seed), **1/2 teaspoon** each oregano and salt, **1/4 teaspoon** pepper.\n- **1 pound mild Italian sausage** broken into pieces; starts with toasting **1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds** and sliced garlic in olive oil.[[3]](https://www.washingtonpost.com/recipes/red-hen-mezzi-rigatoni-fennel-sausage-ragu)\n- Finish with **2 1/2 tablespoons butter**, **5 tablespoons** grated pecorino Romano, **3 tablespoons** Parmigiano-Reggiano, more cheese for serving.\n- Adapted by **Becky Krystal** from chef Friedman; fennel pollen gives signature flavor.[[1]](https://www.washingtonpost.com/recipes/red-hen-mezzi-rigatoni-fennel-sausage-ragu/)\n\n## Details and context\nThis home adaptation simplifies the restaurant dish, where chef Friedman uses house-made sausage with toasted fennel seeds, coriander, black pepper, paprika, garlic, and fennel pollen, then bakes and crumbles it into long-simmered tomato sauce with oregano, oil, and garlic.[[4]](https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/354557/eat-the-red-hens-rigatoni-with-fennel-sausage-ragu-immediately)\n\nThe pasta is extruded fresh at Red Hen for optimal sauce-clinging ridges and al dente bite.\n\nNo prep or cook times listed, but snippets suggest toasting seeds **5-7 minutes** on low heat and boiling pasta per package.[[3]](https://www.washingtonpost.com/recipes/red-hen-mezzi-rigatoni-fennel-sausage-ragu)\n\n## Key quotes\n\"This is a home cook’s version of chef Michael Friedman’s fennel and sausage pasta that President Biden and first lady Jill Biden both ordered at Washington’s Red Hen.\" — Recipe description.[[1]](https://www.washingtonpost.com/recipes/red-hen-mezzi-rigatoni-fennel-sausage-ragu/)\n\n## Why it matters\nRestaurant favorites like this show how simple ingredients can build bold flavor, inspiring home cooks to try Italian-American classics. Readers get an accessible recipe for a dish popular enough to catch presidential attention, using easy-to-find items like jarred passata. Watch for diner recreations or Red Hen updates, though full steps remain behind the paywall.","hashtags":["#pasta","#recipes","#cooking","#bidens","#dcfood","#italian"],"sources":[{"url":"https://www.washingtonpost.com/recipes/red-hen-mezzi-rigatoni-fennel-sausage-ragu/","title":"Original article"},{"url":"https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/2023/03/17/sausage-rigatoni-pasta-recipe-bidens/","title":""},{"url":"https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/354557/eat-the-red-hens-rigatoni-with-fennel-sausage-ragu-immediately","title":""}],"viewCount":2,"publishedAt":"2026-04-07T23:42:23.821Z"}