Sausage and Caramelized Onion Pasta

Italian sausage and caramelized onions in a creamy tomato sauce with penne and basil.

Ingredients

• ½ lb Penne Pasta
• 1 lb Sweet or Hot Italian Sausage Links
• 1 Medium-Sized Yellow Onion Sliced
• 5 Garlic Cloves Minced
• 10-12 Fresh Basil Leaves Chopped
• ¾ cup Heavy Whipping Cream
• 2 cups Tomato Puree / Passata
• ½ cup Dry White Wine
• 2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Dried Oregano to Taste
• Kosher Salt and Ground Black Pepper to Taste

Method

1. CUT SAUSAGE: Cut the sausage links into 3 pieces each.
2. BOIL WATER: Place a pasta pot of salted water on high heat.
3. BROWN THE SAUSAGE: Place a large cast-iron skillet or sauté pan on medium heat. When heated, add the extra virgin olive oil. Add the sausage pieces and brown on all sides. Cook until the sausage is about 90% done. Remove from the pan.
4. CARAMELIZE ONIONS: Add the onions to the rendered fat. Cook for about 20 minutes or until onions are properly caramelized, stirring frequently. Add the garlic. Cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
5. ADD WINE AND TOMATO: Add the wine and reduce completely. Add the tomato puree. Bring to a slow simmer and cook for a few minutes. Season with salt, pepper and oregano.
6. FINISH COOKING SAUSAGE: Add the heavy cream and bring to a slow simmer. Cut the sausage into bite-sized pieces and add back to the pan. Bring to a simmer.
7. HOLD GENTLY: Reduce the heat to low and hold while the pasta is cooking.
8. COOK PASTA: Cook the pasta in the salted boiling water just before al dente and transfer directly to the sauce. Add ½ cup of pasta water.
9. TOSS AND FINISH: Stir and cook the pasta in the sauce for 3-5 minutes to marry all ingredients. Break up the basil leaves and add to the pasta.