Sylvester Stallone's Favorite Food Is This Iconic, Old-School Italian Dish

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Sylvester Stallone, a.k.a. "Sly," a.k.a. "The Italian Stallion," isn't just the screenwriter and actor behind the action-packed "Rocky" and "Rambo" movie franchises; he's also a certified picky eater. "I wouldn't know good food if it landed on me," he deadpanned to Allrecipes, where he also divulged that he adores simple Italian fare — especially rigatoni with meat sauce. There might be a famous statue of Rocky Balboa in Center City, Philadelphia (the ancestral home of water ice, by the way), but Stallone's heart is located due northeast in a foodie city that needs no introduction.

Stallone is half Italian, being the son of an immigrant father from Gioia del Colle. Growing up in New York City, he would have enjoyed proximity to the outstanding cuisine of the Big Apple's sizable Italian diaspora. Though he didn't explain further in his interview, it's likely that this is where he developed his love for rigatoni. Unlike so many American "Italian" foods that aren't actually authentic, rigatoni Bolognese has cultural bonafides originating in Bologna, Italy. Today, there are many spins on this dish, from simple, rustic plates to gourmet variations made with elegant flourishes. Stallone didn't specify how he takes his rigatoni with meat sauce, other than favoring some Parmesan cheese on top. However, from context clues, we're betting he's not about to gild the lily. That doesn't mean that your own version of this pasta meal can't be as fancy (or as basic) as you wish!

A "real" rigatoni Bolognese is made at home, unlike the frozen pizza that Americans apparently prefer over fresh. The sauce is simmered with tender care and involves a mirepoix, along with diced bell pepper, garlic, milk, and plenty of fresh herbs. A mixture of ground beef and pork is traditional, but you could use either on its own if you have a preference.

Tons of celebrity chefs have riffed on rigatoni with meat sauce to make it their own. Giada de Laurentiis adds chopped mushrooms and red wine for a bolder, beefier flavor. Stanley Tucci dashes on a sprinkle of nutmeg, which gives warmth and nuttiness to the sauce. Harry Hamlin amps up the veggies, dicing cauliflower and zucchini in with the typical carrot, celery, and onion. So, feel free to play with your own version of the sauce. You could even get creative with the meats, using venison, bison, lamb, or, if you are trying to avoid red meat, ground chicken or turkey. Processing your own meat with a countertop meat grinder will produce the nicest flavor and give you control of the grind, though this can be a time-consuming step. Then again, a good meat sauce is a labor of love that shouldn't be rushed!

Of course, life has a way of sneaking up on you, and there's not always time to devote hours to a gourmet pasta dinner, especially on a busy weeknight. We think Stallone would approve of boiling boxed pasta, whipping up a simple sauce, and tossing in whatever meat you have defrosted. It may not strictly be Nonna-approved, but it will taste good!