Fast & Fresh Sausage Ragu

By Joan_Z

Ingredients

• 1 16 oz pkg rigatoni
• 1 1 lb pkg ground port sausage with sage
• 1 med. ohion - diced
• 1 med. zucchini - diced
• 2 med. carrots - diced
• 3 garlic cloves - pressed
• 1/4 tsp. dried crushed red pepper
• 1 6 oz can tomato paste
• 1 cup dry red wine
• 1 28 oz can diced tomatoes with basil, garlic & oregano
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Preparation

Step 1

Cook pasta according to directions; drain, reserving 1/2 cup of hot pasta water

Meanwhile, cook sausage in a large, 2 inch deep skillet over medium-high heat, stirring often, 5 minutes or until sausage crumbles and is no longer pink. Add onion, zucchini, and carrots; cook, stirring often, 8-10 minutes or until tender. Add garlic and red pepper, and cook, stirring often, 1-2 minutes or until garlic is tender. Add tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly, 1-2 minutes. Add wine and reserved pasta water, cook 2 minutes, stirring to loosen bits from bottom of skillet.

Add tomatoes, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, and simmer, stirring occasionaly, 10 minutes. Add salt & pepper to taste. Spoon mixture over pasta, sprinkle with cheese.