From SY Kitchen in Santa Ynez, California, this Salsiccia Pasta With Tomato Sugo recipe is made with tomato sugo, sausage, and smoked cheese for a quick dose of comfort food.
1/2poundfresh (uncooked) Italian-style turkey or pork sausage
1/3cupdry red wine
4garlic clovesminced
1sprigfresh rosemaryor sage
1pinchcrushed red pepper flakes(optional)
1 (24 ounce)cancrushed or pureed tomatoes
For The Pasta:
12ouncesfusilli pastagluten free pasta to make it gluten-free
2tablespoonsunsalted butter
Ricotta Salataor smoked Ricotta Salata or smoked Mozzarella or Scamorza, finely grated
Instructions
Cook The Sausage: Heat olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. When the oil shimmers, add the onion, season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, and cook, stirring, until soft and translucent.Remove the casing on the sausage, and crumble it into the pan. Cook, occasionally stirring to break up the sausage until golden brown. Add red wine, and use a rubber spatula or wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits.
Make The Tomato Sugo: Add garlic, rosemary or sage, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), and tomatoes, then cook uncovered, occasionally stirring, until sauce thickens slightly and the flavors meld, about 15 to 20 minutes.
Boil The Pasta: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil over high heat. Add pasta and cook, occasionally stirring, until about 2 minutes short of the package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
Finish The Pasta: Discard rosemary or sage and, if needed, stir in reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce. Add pasta and cook, stirring, until sauce coats pasta and pasta is al dente, about 2 minutes. Add butter and stir until melted. Serve immediately topped with cheese.