italian sausage pasta recipe

Ingredients

• 1 pound Italian Sausage, casings removed
• 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
• 1 medium Onion, chopped
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes (adjust to taste)
• 1 (28 ounce) can Crushed Tomatoes
• 1/2 teaspoon Dried Oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon Salt
• 1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper
• 1 pound Pasta (Penne or Rigatoni recommended)
• 1/2 cup Fresh Parsley, chopped
• Grated Parmesan Cheese, for serving

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions.
2. While pasta is cooking, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
3. Add sausage to the skillet and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned.
4. Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
5. Stir in red pepper flakes, crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Drain pasta and add it to the skillet with the sausage sauce. Toss to coat.
7. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese.

Notes

• For a milder flavor, remove the red pepper flakes entirely.
• Use a large skillet or Dutch oven for best results.
• Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining, in case the sauce needs thinning.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• To bake, transfer the pasta and sauce to a baking dish, top with mozzarella cheese, and bake at 375F (190C) for 20-25 minutes, or until bubbly and golden brown.