Rigatoni with Italian Sausage

Here’s a very quick and easy meal your family will enjoy.  Rigatoni with Italian Sausage can be made in two pans, one to boil the pasta, and the other pan to cook the sausage and other ingredients.  Amazingly easy and even more amazing how delicious it tastes.  Want a simple recipe to teach your children?  This is the recipe!  It will boost their confidence in their culinary skills and open a whole new horizon for them.  Delicious Rigatoni mixed with sausage, tomatoes, and herbs makes a dish that is hearty and nutritional.  Try it once and your family will be adding it to the family’s monthly menu!

Ingredients:

• 16 oz. uncooked Rigatoni.
• 4 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
• 16 oz. Italian Sausage, casing removed.
• 4 garlic cloves, minced.
• 1 small sweet onion, minced.
• 1/2 cup beef broth.
• 2 8oz. cans of diced tomatoes.
• 2 4oz. cans of tomato paste.
• 2 Tablespoons parsley, finely chopped.
• 2 Tablespoons basil, finely chopped.
• 1 teaspoon Salt.
• 1/2 teaspoon Pepper.
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for garnishment.
• Freshly chopped Basil for garnishment.

Instructions:

• Using a large pot, prepare Rigatoni according to package directions. 15 +/- minutes of cooking time.
• Using a skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.
• Add the garlic and onions and sauté until the onions are tender and translucent. 2 minutes.
• Add the Italian sausage and stir until fully cooked. 5-6 minutes.
• Add the beef broth and using a wooden spatula, scrape browned sausage bits from the bottom of the pan.
• Add the remaining ingredients: tomatoes, tomato paste, basil, salt, pepper, and parsley.  Combine over medium heat.
• Let sauce simmer until the pasta is cooked.
• When the pasta has completed its cooking time, remove from heat.
• There is no need to rinse pasta with a colander.
• Using a slotted spoon, remove the pasta and drain before adding to the sauce.
• Reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta water to create the sauce consistency you desire.
• Combine the pasta and sauce, fold together until the pasta is completely coated with sauce.
• Using the reserved pasta water, add small amounts until the sauce consistency meets your approval.
• Sprinkle with grated Parmesan and chopped fresh Basil and serve.
• Bon Appétit!!!

Serves well with garlic toast and/or breadsticks.