Penne with Sausage and Tomato Basil Sauce

Penne with Sausage and Tomato Basil Sauce

Last night, I did not have time to make my own sauce but I always have jarred sauce in the pantry for quick dinners like this. The trick to sauce tasting as if you spent hours making it, is adding a few ingredients to enhance and bring out the flavor. Ina Garten taught me this. This dinner was hearty and a hit with the hubster. I hope you try it.

Ingredients

Penne Rigate pasta.

Sweet Italian Sausage.

Tomato & Basil Sauce.

Onion.

Garlic.

Bay leaf.

Italian Seasoning.

Olive oil.

Butter.

Fresh Mozzarella Cheese.

Grated Parmesan Cheese.

Parsley.

Directions

Sausage

I used Sweet Italian Sausage but use what you like. I use Johnsonville.

Heat skillet to medium and add 3 tablespoons water.

Add Sausage links.

Cover.

Cook for 10-12 minutes turning links frequently.

Remove cover.

Continue cooking for 15-17 minutes, turning links to make sure all sides are golden brown.

Let Sausage links rest on cutting board for 5 minutes, slice and add to sauce to blend together for a few minutes.

Tomato and Basil Sauce

In a medium size pot, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil and when hot, add 1/2 chopped Onion.

Cook for a few minutes until translucent being mindful not to burn.

Add 2 cloves finely minced Garlic.

After a few minutes add Sauce.

I used Newman's Own Tomato and Basil Bombolina.

Stir together.

Add 1 Bay Leaf.

Add 2 tablespoons Italian Seasoning.

I use Badia Gourmet Blends Italian Seasoning. Ingredients: Marjoram, Oregano, Thyme, Rosemary, Savory, Basil and Sage.

Stir and Cover.

Simmer on low for about 20 minutes.

When Sausage links are cooked and sliced, add and stir together.

Turn off heat.

Add to pot with Penne (as to when see below).

Penne Pasta

Fill a large pot of water and boil.

Add a generous amount of Kosher Salt.

When water is boiling add Penne. I use Barilla.

Add 1 teaspoon Olive Oil (optional).

Cook 1-2 minutes shy of Al Dente.

Reserve about 1/3 of starchy cooking water.

Drain.

Place Penne back in pot.

Add 2 tablespoons Butter and stir.

Add 1 cup (or more) of freshly grated Mozzarella Cheese.

Stir together well.

Add 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese.

Stir together well.

Add reserved starchy cooking water.

Add Sausage and Sauce.

Stir together well.

Serve.

Add more Grated Parmesan Cheese.

Sprinkle roughly chopped Parsley (or Basil) over pasta. I had Parsley on hand.
Serve with Salad.

Enjoy!

-Sophia/Two Frys