Pat’s Tuesday Night Pasta Sauce

Ingredients

• 2-lb package of penne rigate
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 3–4 hot Italian sausages, uncooked
• 3–4 mild Italian sausages, uncooked
• 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
• 2 Tbsp dried oregano
• 1 bunch green onions, chopped
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 red pepper, diced into 1/2-inch squares
• 1 green pepper, diced into 1/2-inch squares
• 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
• 3 bay leaves
• 2 chicken bouillon cubes
• 1 jar (650 mL) good quality tomato pasta sauce
• 2 cans (398 mL) diced tomatoes
• 1 1/2 cups half and half cream
• 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated for the table

Equipment

• measuring cups and spoons
• cutting board and knife
• deep frying pan
• fork, wooden spoon
• large pot for boiling penne
• colander
• serving platter and serving bowls

Here is how:

1. Heat oil in a deep frying pan on medium-high heat.
2. Squeeze sausage from casing directly into the pan and break uncooked sausage up into little pieces with a fork.
3. Add basil and oregano and sauté with sausage, about 8–10 minutes, until done.
4. Add green and white onions, red and green peppers, mushrooms, bay leaves and chicken bouillon cubes, and cook for another 10 minutes, being careful not to overcook the vegetables.
5. Add tomato pasta sauce and diced tomatoes and bring to a low boil for 30 minutes. Add cream and half of the parmesan. Let simmer for another 20 minutes.
6. In the meantime, bring a pot of salted water to the boil and add the penne. Boil until al dente and drain.
7. Toss penne with about 2 cups of the sauce (just enough to coat it) and place on a serving platter.
8. Top pasta with another 2 cups of sauce and the remaining parmesan.
9. Place remaining sauce in serving bowls and set around the table along with the parmesan cheese for the table.

Additional info:

"Growing up with an Italian mother and a trio of sisters, Pat could have stayed right out of the kitchen, but thankfully for all of us lucky pals, he obviously didn’t!" writes Shelley Adams.

"We all dream about driving down our driveways finding a husband like Pat hovering over the stove, creating traditional pasta dishes with mucho amore!

"Buying good quality pasta sauce, pasta and homemade sausages is totally worth it. 

"Go to Star Grocery in Trail, BC and ask for Pasquale!"