Tomato Sauce with Sausage

One of our go-to meals is always pasta and sauce. It’s quick, easy, and always delicious. Most people have their favorite jarred sauce, but for me that isn’t an option. Both being from Italian families, we much prefer to make our own sauce. Yes, you could just heat up some sauce that’s already made, but it really doesn’t take long to make your own scrumptious sauce!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 a medium onion
• 4-5 cloves of garlic
• Olive oil
• 1 small can of petite diced tomatoes
• 1 large can of crushed tomatoes
• 2 links of sausage
• Salt and pepper
• Italian seasoning (or whatever seasoning you prefer)

First begin heating a few tablespoons of olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cut up about 1/2 an onion into a small dice (you don’t want to bite into huge chunks of onion in your sauce, or maybe you do, that’s up to you). Add to the saucepan to start caramelizing. Mince up the garlic as the onion begins cooking, and add to the saucepan as well. Let the onion and garlic cook for about 5-10 minutes, or until the onion is soft and translucent.

congratulations, if you're at this step, your house probably smells amazing

Add the small can of diced tomatoes. I used petite diced for the smaller pieces. Let this simmer for about 20 minutes. I usually add my seasoning at this point too. Some salt and pepper, and whatever your choice of flavors might be. We usually go with some Italian Seasoning, which is a mix of several different herbs.

While the tomatoes, onions, and garlic are simmering, start cooking the sausage. We used two sausage links, removed the outer casing, and cooked it in some olive oil in a small frying pan over medium heat. While it’s cooking, use a wooden spoon or spatula to break up the sausage into small pieces that will be added to the sauce.

cookin' it up with Dane

When the sausage is mostly cooked (it will cook the rest of the way through in the sauce) add it to the tomatoes, onion, and garlic. Then add the large can of crushed tomatoes. Stir together, and let simmer for at least 30 minutes. The longer you let it simmer, the more the flavors come together, so if you have some extra time, leave it on the stove for a while. Taste the sauce and season it again as needed.

Cook your choice of pasta according to the directions. When the sauce is done, pour some over your pasta and enjoy!

pappardelle and sauce!

Tags: condiments, dinner, pasta, Recipe