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Spicy Tomato & Sausage Penne

This spicy tomato and sausage penne recipe features al dente pasta tossed in a rich tomato sauce with savory Italian sausage, fresh basil, and Parmesan cheese.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 550
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 12 oz pre-cooked spicy Italian sausage, sliced
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • Pinch red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)
  • 1/2 lb penne pasta
  • Fresh basil leaves, torn (for garnish)
  • Grated Parmesan cheese (for serving)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Large Skillet or Dutch Oven

Method
 

Cooking Steps
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then add penne pasta and cook until al dente according to package directions.
  2. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta. While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  3. Add sliced sausage and cook for 3-5 minutes until lightly browned. Remove sausage and set aside.
  4. In the same skillet, add chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Then add minced garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Pour in crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, and dried oregano, bringing the sauce to a simmer and scraping up any browned bits.
  6. Add the cooked sausage back to the skillet, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer the sauce for 5-7 minutes to meld flavors.
  7. Add the drained penne pasta and reserved pasta water to the skillet, then toss well to coat the pasta evenly.
  8. Season with salt and black pepper to taste, and serve immediately garnished with fresh torn basil leaves and grated Parmesan cheese.

Notes

For a milder dish, omit the red pepper flakes. Adjust the amount of chicken broth to achieve your desired sauce consistency. Freshly grated Parmesan cheese makes a big difference in flavor!