One of my husband’s favorite pasta recipes is penne arrabiata. Of course it is because he loves Italian sausage!
If you need a quick and easy meal for a sausage-lover, give this one a try. The flavor will largely depend on what brand tomatoes you use and of course, the sausage.
One of my favorite local brands in Botto’s sausage. I was pleasantly surprised to see that this sausage is available along most of the east coast and even in some parts of the west coast. Of course, buying local is always best so use your favorite local brand and you can’t go wrong. Botto’s in made in NJ, not far from me.
Speaking of Botto’s – they just opened up a shop on the Ocean City NJ boardwalk. My family and I visited Ocean City last month for vacation, and I tried one of their sandwiches. I had the sweet Italian sausage topped with long hots (ie, long hot peppers, which are sauteed lightly in olive oil). This sandwich was so delicious. And the bread? Amazing. But I think most of you don’t have access to long hots, so we’re gonna stick with pasta for this one. Maybe the sandwich in another post?
Aside from arrabiato, another favorite pasta recipe is my vodka sauce, and be sure to try these cookies for dessert!
Penne Arrabiata
Ingredients
- 1 pound penne pasta
- 1 small onion diced
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1.25 pounds talian sausage (hot or sweet), casings removed and crumbled
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes
- 1/4 cup dry red wine or balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 gloves garlic smashed and finely chopped
- 1 handful fresh basil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions.
- In the meantime, heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large dutch oven and add onion.
- Saute for 3 or 4 minutes, until translucent.
- Add sausage and increase heat to medium high
- Continue cooking until sausage is browned
- After meat is browned, add crushed tomatoes, wine (or vinegar), lemon juice, and basil
- Season with salt, black pepper and red pepper.
- Increase heat to high, bring to boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes
- Spoon sauce over pasta immediately before serving
Nutrition
Mike says
Great penne arrabiata recipe, we have made this with our homemade Italian spicy sausages, comfort food on a cold fall or winter day. This recipe pairs very well with Brunello di Montalcino and Barolo Italian wines. Thanks for sharing this! I have also posted the recipe with a lovely Brunello review on my website. #fortheloveofwine