Pappardelle Pasta with Italian Sausage ala ~DKBB~

Pappardelle Pasta with Italian Sausage ala ~DKBB~

(original recipe & photo from www.spendwithpennies.com)

8.8 oz. dry pappardelle pasta

1 lb. Italian sausage
2 Tbsp. olive oil
½ onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1½ Tbsp. tomato paste
1-2 tsp. red pepper flakes
1 (or more) Tbsp. Italian seasoning
2 tsp. basil
1/3 cup red wine
1 14 oz. can crushed tomatoes (or you can use diced tomatoes)
½ tsp. sugar
½ tsp. salt
½ tsp. cracked pepper
1 cup pasta water (reserved)
Grated cheese of your choice (I use Parmigiano Reggiano)
Fresh basil, chiffonade

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil to cook the pasta.
• While the water is heating, add olive oil to a large pan/skillet.
• Once the oil is hot, add the sausage and brown until it is not longer pink; break it up well as it cooks (you don’t want chunks of meat).
• Add onions and garlic to the browned sausage; sauté for 1 minute.
• Add tomato paste, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes; cook for another minute and let the tomato paste caramelize.
• Deglaze the pan by adding the wine and scraping the bottom to release any brown bits; let the wine cook to half the quantity (and to where you can’t smell the alcohol any longer).
• Add tomatoes, salt, sugar, and pepper; reduce heat, cover, and let cook for 5-6 minutes.
• By now the water for the pasta should be boiling; add a little salt and the pasta; cook per pasta package instructions; when the pasta is done, drain it, reserving 1 cup of the pasta water.
• The tomato meat sauce should be well incorporated now, and you should see a thin layer of fat on the top; taste and add more seasonings per your taste.
• Toss the cooked pasta along ½ cup of the pasta water (add the other ½ cup only if you feel it necessary).
• Garnish with grated cheese and fresh basil, tossing well to incorporate.