Spicy Sausage Cavatappi

By now I am certain you can tell that I'm currently based out of Italy. So what better first recipe to post that one with some spicy Italian sausage? While I have enjoyed eating out all over Italy, every now and then it can be fun to roll up your sleeves, open the fridge, and make a home cooked meal.

And if that Italian sausage comes along with some spicy pasta sauce, what else could it be other than a match made in heaven?! Well enough talking for now... Check out the recipe:

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 tablespoon extravirgin olive oil
  • half of a yellow onion, minced
  • 2.5 lbs spicy Italian sausage (casings removed - just the ground meat)
  • 1 ¼ teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 lbs. Cavatappi pasta
  • 2 - 17.5 ounce bottles of Barilla'a Arrabbiata sauce 
  • Trentino cheese and parsley or basil for topping (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium high heat. Add in onion - saute for 4 minutes or so, until golden.
  2. Add the ground sausage and pepper. When the sausage is fully cooked, add in 2 bottles of Barilla's Arrabbiata pasta sauce*.
  3. Add in salt simmer for 8-10 minutes while the pasta is cooking.
  4. Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain. Pour remaining olive oil into pasta and toss.
  5. Combine the pasta, the sauce, and garnish to finish

Serves 10

*Can't find Arrabbiata sauce in your local grocery store? No worries! Create a little piece of Italy in your own house!

SAUCE INGREDIENTS

  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1 cup chopped onions
  • 4 cloves garlic - minced
  • 1 tablespoon white sugar
  • 1 tablespoon fresh basil - chopped
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes
  • ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 (14 ½ ounce) can peeled tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons choped fresh parsley

SAUCE INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Heat oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat. Saute onion and garlic in oil for 5 minutes.
  2. Stir in wine, sugar, basil, red pepper, tomato paste, red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, black pepper and tomatoes; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, and simmer uncovered about 10 minutes.
  3. Stir in parsley. Mix with cooked sausage and pour over finished Cavatappi.

While I am no expert on creating Italian cuisine, I must say that this dish will satisfy your hunger cravings. And as with any healthy diet, don't forget to make a balanced meal! This dish goes well with a fresh green salad, steamed asparagus, or fruit salad dessert! For a dinner with friends or family I recommend paring the meal with chilled sparkling water or a nice red wine.

Recipes• Emi •EmEats, Food, Cooking, Homecooked, Milano, Italia, Spicy, Pasta, RecipesComment