Spicy Sausage Penne Pasta

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Aidells® & The Wine Group. The opinions and text are all mine.

Summer! It heightens all the senses. Windows are open to smell the roses rambling along the fence. The sight of fireflies flickering in the fields delights children of all ages. And flavors from the garden enhance any dish you prepare in the kitchen. Today I’m sharing a tasty Spicy Sausage Penne Pasta recipe that’s quick and easy and is sure to help you savor your summer! I’ve also chosen a wine to complement your meal on a sweet summer evening.

My favorite food is anything Italian and my husband enjoys anything spicy, so I combined the two and created a Spicy Sausage Penne Pasta Dish that has a wonderful kick to it. Not only that but I’ve included ingredients from my summer garden.

 

The base elements for this dish are penne pasta, crushed tomatoes (I used some that I canned from my own garden), and Aidells® Sausage. You can follow my recipe below, or easily amend it to your own liking with your own choice of cheese and herbs. I shopped at our local Kroger and found the Italian Style sausage, among a variety of other flavors by Aidells®.

 

While the penne pasta was boiling, I sauteed and softened a diced sweet onion in olive oil, then sliced the sausage into rounds, browning them for about 8 minutes. My kitchen was filled with the hearty fragrance of an Italian kitchen.

You know I love natural foods and Aidells® Sausages are naturally-smoked, all-natural chicken with no added hormones. Yes, I’m also the type who chooses cage-free eggs and organic food items whenever possible. The sausage also includes real fruits and vegetables and is gluten-free.

 

I picked a bunch of fresh oregano from my garden, which is growing quite nicely this year. It’s a perennial and I always have plenty to harvest. When using fresh herbs, you need more than if you’re using the dried variety. You can add any other herbs to your tomato sauce. I also included a teaspoon of red pepper chili flakes to kick up the heat factor.

 

I tossed a cup of grated parmegiano-reggiano cheese into my sauce, which is my favorite when cooking Italian dishes. In addition to its fabulous flavor, it melts and blends beautifully into tomato sauces. It’s a little more expensive than other cheeses but is totally worth the extra expense.

 

The crowning touch to this rustic flavorful meal is a glass of Trapiche Malbec wine from The Wine Group. Since the Spicy Sausage Penne Pasta dish carries a little heat, it needs a wine that can match the spice. A Malbec from Argentina is the perfect choice.

 

Trapiche Malbec has a rating of 88 points from Wine Spectator and when I saw it on the shelf at Kroger I knew it would be perfect for my savory summer pasta dish. Trapiche Malbec is soft with saturated berry flavors, with a nice spicy finish.

 

Cooking with food from my garden is so fulfilling and rewarding. I invite you to savor your summer and add your own spices and ingredients to this Spicy Sausage Penne Pasta dish.

 

Spicy Sausage Penne Pasta

16 oz penne pasta
2 T olive oil
1 small-medium sweet onion, diced
1-2 cloves garlic, minced
12 oz Aidells® Sausage
1/4 cup dry red wine
1 large jar crushed tomatoes (or 28 oz can)
1 teaspoon red pepper chili flakes
1 cup parmegiano-reggiano cheese, grated
1/4 cup fresh oregano
salt to taste

While pasta is boiling according to package directions, heat olive oil in medium saute pan. Soften onion in oil for about 3 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add sausage to brown. Cook 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Pour in red wine to de-glaze pan, then add crushed tomatoes and heat through. Salt to taste. Add red pepper chili flakes and cheese; stir until cheese is melted and blended through. Sprinkle in fresh oregano. Drain pasta after cooking and add to pan with the spicy sausage sauce. Serve immediately, and garnish with a sprinkling of cheese.

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This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Aidells® & The Wine Group. The opinions and text are all mine.