Penne Alla Vodka with Spicy Italian Sausage

 This recipe comes from Ina Garten, I added spicy Italian sausage as the "Meatatarins"in my family would have a hard time eating a meal without meat. The sauce is so tasty! It always is a winner whenever I serve it!

Ingredients:

450g or 1 pound hot Italian ground sausage

1/4 Cup olive oil

large onion chopped (21/2 Cups)

1 Tablespoon minced garlic

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1 Cup vodka

2 (28 oz) cans whole peeled plum tomatoes

Kosher salt

Freshly ground pepper

900g or 3/4 pound penne

2 Tablespoons chopped fresh oregano

1 Cup heavy cream

1/2 Cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

In a large ovenproof pan, saute ground sausage until nicely browned.

Remove meat from pan.

Heat olive oil, and saute onions and garlic for approximately 5 minutes, or until onions are translucent.

Add red pepper flakes and dried oregano, cook for one minute.

Add vodka and simmer for 5-8 minutes, or until mixture is reduced by half.

With clean hands crush each tomato in the can, add to the pan.

Add 2 teaspoons Kosher salt. and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.

Cover pan and bake for 11/2 to 2 hours.

Prepare pasta according to package directions. Drain set aside.

Puree tomato mixture until smooth.

Add cooked sausage to the tomato sauce.

Add fresh oregano and cream to tomato mixture.

Salt and pepper to taste.

Simmer gently, stir in grated Parmesan cheese.

Serve with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and fresh black pepper.

Print Recipe: Penne Alla Vodka with Spicy Italian Sausage

In a heavy pot saute meat.

Saute sausage until brown. Remove meat from pan and set aside.

Add olive oil to pot. Add onions and garlic. Saute until onions are translucent.

Add peppers and dried oregano. Saute for a minute more.

Add vodka.

Cook until sauce has reduced by half.

With clean hands squeeze the tomatoes and add to sauce.

Add salt and pepper. Cover pot and bake in a 375 degree oven for 1 1/2 -2 hours .

Remove from oven and puree with a hand blender or food processor until sauce is smooth.  Prepare  pasta according to package directions.

Add sausage to the sauce.

Add cream and oregano to sauce, stir and simmer gently. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in Parmesan cheese.

Serve with freshly cracked black pepper and grated Parmesan cheese