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Red Hen's Biden-favorite fennel sausage rigatoni recipe

Source: washingtonpost.com

TL;DR

Washington Post publishes home cook version of Red Hen's fennel sausage ragu with mezzi rigatoni.
Key ingredients are tomato passata, 1 pound Italian sausage, fennel pollen, and two grated cheeses.
Bidens both ordered this pasta at the restaurant, highlighting its appeal.[[1]](https://www.washingtonpost.com/recipes/red-hen-mezzi-rigatoni-fennel-sausage-ragu/)

The story at a glance

The 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/)

Key points

Serves 5-6; calls for 12 ounces dried mezzi rigatoni (substitutions noted).
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.
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)
Finish with 2 1/2 tablespoons butter, 5 tablespoons grated pecorino Romano, 3 tablespoons Parmigiano-Reggiano, more cheese for serving.
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/)

Details and context

This 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)

The pasta is extruded fresh at Red Hen for optimal sauce-clinging ridges and al dente bite.

No 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)

Key quotes

"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/)

Why it matters

Restaurant 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.