This recipe is inspired by my favorite dish at the restaurant, North Italia. I hope you love it too!
Servings 6
Ingredients
8ouncesshort-cut noodles of choicesuch as rotini, rigatoni or farfelle (can use GF)
1 ½teaspoonssalt
1poundhot italian sausage
½yellow oniondiced into ¼” pieces
4clovesgarlicminced
24ouncestomato basil pasta sauceI like Rao’s the best
2tablespoonslight or dark brown sugar
3tablespoonstomato paste*sub 3 tablespoons ketchup and reduce brown sugar to 1 tablespoon
2tablespoonsvodka(optional)
½teaspoondried oregano
½teaspoondried basil
¼teaspoononion powder
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
1cupheavy cream or half and half
Freshly grated parmesan to taste
Instructions
Cook noodles al dente (the lowest suggested time) according to package directions, with 1 teaspoon salt in the water. Set aside.
Heat a large, high-sided skillet or dutch oven to medium heat. Allow to heat one minute, then add sausage. Cook, breaking up with a wooden spoon or firm spatula, until golden brown around the edges, 8-10 minutes. Add meat to a heat-proof bowl.
Add ⅓ cup water and onions to the pan and stir to deglaze any brown bits from the bottom. Saute until onions are softened and translucent, 4-6 minutes, then add garlic and stir constantly for 30 seconds.
Add pasta sauce, then add a splash of water to the jar, shake and pour that in as well. Add brown sugar, tomato paste, vodka (if using), remaining ½ teaspoon salt, oregano, basil, onion powder and a generous amount of black pepper. Stir to incorporate, then remove from heat. Wait 2 minutes, then stir in heavy cream, then sausage and noodles. Carefully, gently, fold to incorporate everything.
Add parmesan to taste and enjoy immediately! Leftovers will keep in the fridge up to 4 days. I do not recommend freezing, but you could make and freeze just the meat sauce.
Notes
*NOTE: buy tomato paste in a tube instead of a can so you can easily save it in the fridge for future use. You can also freeze it.
Course: Entree, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Keyword: bolognese, comfort food, family dinner, Gluten Free, glutenfree, healthy dinner, healthy takeout, pasta alla vodka, spicy