Teresa's Recipes
Little Italy Pasta
Immerse yourself in the vibrant flavors of Italian cuisine with this Little Italy Pasta. This dish captures the essence of traditional Italian fare, featuring a rich tomato sauce, sizzling Italian sausage, and a burst of fresh herbs. Each bite takes you on a culinary journey through the charming streets of Little Italy, a neighborhood known for its timeless Italian recipes passed down through generations. A sprinkle of Parmesan cheese adds a final touch of indulgence to this heartwarming dish.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup, freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup, finely chopped Fresh basil
- 1/2 teaspoon (or more if you like it spicy) Red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
- 1 can (28 ounces) Crushed tomatoes
- 3 cloves, minced Garlic
- 1 medium, finely chopped Onion
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 pound Italian sausage
- 1 pound, type of your choice Pasta
Dietary Notes
- Servings: 4
- Dish Type: Main Course
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Calories: 680
- Fat: 30g
- Carbs: 80g
- Protein: 25g
- Sodium: 880mg
- Sugar: 9g
Instructions
- In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the pasta water.
- Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, cooking until the onion becomes soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add the Italian sausage to the skillet. Use a wooden spoon to break it up into small pieces as it cooks until it is browned and cooked through, about 10 minutes.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, red pepper flakes, and chopped basil. Reduce heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 10 minutes to meld the flavors together.
- Add the drained pasta to the skillet. Toss well to ensure each strand of pasta is coated with the sauce. If needed, add some of the reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce.
- Serve the pasta hot, garnished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Enjoy!
Tips
- For an added layer of flavor, you can add a splash of red wine to the sauce while it's simmering.
- If you prefer a vegetarian version, simply omit the sausage or replace it with a plant-based alternative.