Creamy, Comforting Rigatoni Mascarpone

What does amazing animal rights hero, Chris DeRose of Last Chance for Animals (LCA) make for dinner after an emotionally charged day saving abused animals? Creamy, Comforting Rigatoni Mascarpone (vegan of course). Join Chris and Vito Maria as they make this delicious pasta dish.

Recipe:  Creamy, Comforting Rigatoni Mascarpone (Great pasta dish for summer)

INGREDIENTS

• 1 lb box rigatoni (dried, not fresh which may have eggs)
• 1 c (packed) fresh basil, cut into large strips
• 10  garlic cloves, crushed with a garlic press
• 8 – 12 oz cherry tomatoes, quartered
• 8 oz vegan cream cheese (Go Veggie is the brand we used)
• 1 – 2 Tbsp authentic olive oil from Italy
• Himalayan salt + pepper to taste
• Pine nuts (pignolas) to garnish

DIRECTIONS

1. Cook pasta according to package directions until “al dente” (round rigatoni flattens a bit, but is still firm) and drain in a colander
2. Place all 8 oz of the vegan cream cheese into a bowl and fold in the hot drained pasta
3. Gently fold in the garlic, tomatoes and basil
4. Add the olive oil and gently fold until equally dispersed throughout the pasta
5. Garnish with pine nuts
6. Enjoy

Behind the scenes look at: Chris De Rose, Vito Maria and Jane Velez-Mitchell (behind the camera)