Date Night Pasta

This pasta is a go to recipe for me when it comes time to cook for a date for the first time.  Its very simple and will fill their stomach perfectly.  The sausage can be cooked ahead of time.  The sauce can be made while the water for the pasta comes to a boil and the pasta cooks (perfect for getting to know you chit chat).  It makes a beautiful plate and the flavor is perfection.  Served with a salad, some garlic bread and a bottle of good wine and you have yourself a dinner your date will never forget.

Sometimes I get ahead of myself.  When I started this recipe, I cooked the sausage before taking pictures.  So that is a bowl of already cooked and crumbled sausage.  Also, we've already gone over how to cook pasta before.  If you need a refresher, check out the Cheesy Chicken Penne Casserole Recipe from a couple of weeks ago.  Finally, chop the onion and mince the parsley.  Now, let's get cooking.

First, cook the sausage in a turn of olive oil.  If you are using the mild Italian sausage and adding your own heat, add the red pepper flakes to the sausage while its cooking.  Remove the sausage and set aside.  In the same pan, saute the onions.  If your sausage didn't yield enough to cook the onions in, add a turn or two of olive oil.  Halfway through, add the garlic.  Saute until the onions are soft and opaque.

Add the drained tomatoes, cream and salt.  Stir until combined and simmer about 8-10 minutes (add the pasta to the salted, boiling water at this time) until the sauce has thickened up.

Seriously, just looking at this sauce in pictures makes my mouth water. ~swallows~

Now, once everything is done, you have two choices.  You can add the pasta to the sauce (or vice versa) and mix well. Or, you can plate the pasta and ladle the sauce over the top.  This is my personal choice for this meal.  Top with parmesan cheese if you'd like.  Sometimes I feel like it, sometimes not.  This time I did not.  I did sprinkle with some minced parsley though.  

Feel free to serve with a salad, garlic bread and wine. I am perfectly happy with just the pasta and sauce.  Enjoy!

Bow Ties w/Creamy Tomato and Sausage Sauce

Serves  4

 12 oz pkg bow tie pasta

2 Tbsp olive oil

1 lb hot Italian sausage

(or 1 lb sweet Italian sausage

and 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes)

1/2 c diced onion

3 cloves garlic, minced

28 oz can diced tomatoes, drained

1 1/2 c heavy cream

1/2 tsp salt

3 Tbsp parsley

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.  Cook pasta in boiling water for 8-10 minutes, or until al dente; drain.  Heat oil in a large, deep skillet over medium heat.  Cook sausage and pepper flakes until sausage is evenly brown.  Stir in onion and garlic and cook until onion is tender.  Stir in tomatoes, cream and salt.  Simmer until mixture thickens, 8-10 minutes.  Stir cooked pasta into sauce and heat through.  Sprinkle with parsley.  Serves 6

Love and Laughter!