Stuffed Rabbit Leg with Baked Rigatoni

An award-winning rabbit dish combining Italian sausage stuffing, refined sauce work, and baked rigatoni — presented at the Gualtiero Marchesi Award in Milan in 2003.

Secondi Rabbit • Leg Tier 3
Stuffed rabbit leg with baked rigatoni

Ingredients

This base recipe is scaled for 1 serving and can be increased for tasting menus, banquet service, or plated restaurant production.

  • 250 g deboned rabbit meat
  • 80 g Italian bulk sausage
  • 40 g milk-soaked bread (squeezed)
  • 20 g Parmigiano Reggiano
  • 50 g whole egg
  • 20 g Kalamata olives
  • 120 g Roma tomato
  • 100 ml dry white wine
  • 20 ml extra-virgin olive oil
  • 100 g rigatoni (dry)
  • 60 g onion
  • 40 g celery
  • 50 g carrot
  • 1 g bay leaf
  • 3 g fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme, sage)
  • 3 g sea salt
  • 1 g black pepper

Method

  1. Prepare the stuffing by combining Italian sausage, milk-soaked bread, Parmigiano Reggiano, and whole egg until evenly mixed.
  2. Fill the deboned rabbit leg with the stuffing, roll tightly, and tie securely for even roasting.
  3. Roast the rabbit bones and prepare a rich stock with onion, celery, carrot, white wine, tomato, and fresh herbs.
  4. Cook rigatoni slightly under al dente, fill with the rabbit and sausage mixture, then bake in buttered rings until set and lightly colored.
  5. Sear the stuffed rabbit leg until well colored and finish roasting until the interior reaches 145°F.
  6. Reduce the stock into a refined sauce and finish with Kalamata olives and fresh tomato.
  7. Slice the rabbit leg and serve with the baked rigatoni and sauce.
Chef’s Note: Rabbit is one of the most elegant traditional proteins in Tuscan cuisine. Its lean, delicate character becomes especially refined when paired with savory stuffing, careful roasting, and a balanced sauce.

🏆 Culinary Recognition

This dish was presented at the Gualtiero Marchesi Award — Milan 2003, where its composition reflected classical technique, balance, and Tuscan identity.

Nutrition (per serving, estimate)
Calories~620 kcal
Fat~34 g
Carbohydrates~24 g
Protein~48 g
Fiber~2 g
Sodium~870 mg
High Protein Award Dish Banquet Ready