Spaghetti with Hot Italian Sausage

When I was a kid, my mom would always make us a special birthday dinner.  My choices, for that special dinner, were either her tacos (homemade shells.. yum!) or spaghetti with Italian sausage.  Most often I picked tacos, but there were times where the pasta and sauce girl came out screaming!  One year my mom made it and the sausage was so incredibly hot, it was almost painful to eat...ALMOST :)

This is my simple version of that wonderful dinner.  It's not my mom's recipe, but it's close.  The sauce is very simple to make and does not need a lot of time to simmer.  I also did not have any fresh herbs when I made this, so by all means, if you have them, feel free to use them! If you have your own homemade sauce recipe, go on and use it if you want too.  One of these days I'll post my true, simmer all day and make the house smell wonderful, homemade sauce.  For now, this will have to do!

 

Spaghetti with Hot Italian Sausage
Printable Recipe 
Ingredients:
1 lb. dried spaghetti (you can use any kind of pasta really)
3 hot Italian sausage links - sliced
olive oil
2-3 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 sweet onion, finely diced
1 28oz can crushed tomatoes
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried parsley

Directions: 
Cook spaghetti according to package directions; drain well.

Meanwhile, in a large, deep, non-stick skillet, heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil over medium heat.  Add the sausage saute until just cooked through, about 5-8 minutes (this time will actually depend on how think of slices or chunks you use).  Remove from pan and drain on a plate lined with a paper towel.

To the same skillet heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and add the onions.  Let saute on medium-low heat until they are just starting to caramelize.  Add the garlic and saute one more minute.  Add the crushed tomatoes and spices and stir to combine.  Add the sausage back to the skillet and let simmer for 10 minutes.  Serve over pasta and enjoy!

Parsley