Italian Sausage Pasta

Ingredients

• 1 lb Italian sausage, bulk or removed from casings
• 12 oz Penne pasta
• 1 tbsp Olive oil
• 1 medium Yellow onion, chopped
• 3 cloves Garlic, minced
• 28 oz Crushed tomatoes
• ½ cup Chicken broth
• 1 tsp Dried oregano
• ½ tsp Red pepper flakes (optional)
• ¼ cup Fresh basil, chopped (optional)
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated (optional)
• ½ tsp Salt
• ¼ tsp Black pepper

Steps

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add Italian sausage and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat.
3. Add chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in minced garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes (if using) and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
4. Pour in crushed tomatoes and chicken broth. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and cook for 10-15 minutes, allowing flavors to meld.
5. Add the cooked and drained pasta to the sauce, tossing to combine. Stir in fresh basil (if using).
6. Serve hot, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.