🍝 Sausage and Spaghetti
🌭 Ingredients:
-
1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy, based on your preference)
-
12 oz spaghetti (or any pasta of your choice)
-
1 tbsp olive oil
-
1 medium onion, chopped
-
2 cloves garlic, minced
-
1 can (14.5 oz) crushed tomatoes
-
1/2 cup tomato sauce
-
1/4 cup red wine (optional, for added depth of flavor)
-
1 tsp dried oregano
-
1 tsp dried basil
-
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for some heat)
-
Salt and pepper to taste
-
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)
-
Fresh basil or parsley (optional, for garnish)
👩🍳 Instructions:
1. Cook the Pasta:
-
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente.
-
Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water. Set the pasta aside.
2. Cook the Sausage:
-
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
-
Add the sausage, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Brown it for about 7–10 minutes until fully cooked and browned. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.
3. Make the Sauce:
-
In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and cook for about 5 minutes, until softened.
-
Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
-
Pour in the red wine (if using), scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer for 2–3 minutes to reduce slightly.
-
Add the crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce. Stir in the oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
-
Return the cooked sausage to the skillet and stir to combine. Let the sauce simmer for 10–15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
4. Combine Pasta and Sauce:
-
Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet with the sauce. Toss well to coat the pasta in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
-
Let it cook for an additional 1–2 minutes, allowing the pasta to absorb some of the sauce.
5. Serve:
-
Divide the sausage and spaghetti between plates. Top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of fresh basil or parsley, if desired.
📝 Tips:
-
You can use spicy sausage if you like a kick, or mix mild sausage with a bit of red pepper flakes for some heat.
-
If you want to add more vegetables, consider adding bell peppers, spinach, or zucchini to the sauce for extra flavor and texture.
-
You can swap the spaghetti for other pasta shapes like penne, rigatoni, or fusilli for a fun twist.
Enjoy your Sausage and Spaghetti – a classic comfort food dish with a savory sausage sauce! Let me know if you need any other tweaks or additions to the recipe.