Italian Sausage Pasta
Italian sausage pasta is a hearty and flavorful dish made with savory sausage, tender noodles, and a rich tomato sauce.
Ingredients
- 12 ouncesrigatoni (or other medium pasta)
- 1 cupwater (reserved, from pasta)
- 1 tablespoonolive oil
- 1 largered bell pepper (diced)
- 1 pounditalian sausage (hot or mild, casings removed)
- 1onion (diced)
- 3 clovesgarlic (minced)
- 28 ouncesdiced tomatoes (1 can, with juices)
- 8 ouncescrushed tomatoes
- 1 tablespoontomato paste
- 1 teaspoonitalian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoonsalt (or to taste)
- ¼ teaspoonblack pepper (or to taste)
- thinly sliced fresh basil leaves* (for serving)
- shredded parmesan cheese* (for serving)
Directions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook to al dente according to package directions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water and then drain well.
- 2
Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add red peppers and cook, stirring often, until peppers are charred and starting to soften. Remove from pot and set aside.
- 3
To the Dutch oven, add Italian sausage and onion. Brown sausage, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain any fat. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds more.
- 4
Stir in diced tomatoes (with juices), crushed tomatoes, charred red peppers, ½ cup pasta water, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let simmer uncovered for 30 minutes or until slightly thickened, adding additional pasta water if needed.
- 5
Taste and season with additional salt and pepper if needed. Stir pasta into the sauce. Top with fresh basil and parmesan cheese.