ITALIAN SAUSAGES SWEET & HOT IN TOMATO SAUCE

Italian Sausages Sweet & Hot in Tomato Sauce image

Provided by Rose Rauhauser

Time 1h15m

Number Of Ingredients 14

2 pounds hot italian sausage (casings removed)
3 pounds sweet italian sausage(casings removed)
1 1/2 c red onions chopped
1/2 c vidalia onion chopped
1 1/2 Tbsp chopped garlic
1 Tbsp fennel seeds
1 tsp salt
1 Tbsp crushed red pepper
2 28 oz. cans whole italian plum tomatoes/chopped with all the juices
1 12 oz. can tomato paste
1 Tbsp oregano
6 Tbsp fresh basil leaves chopped or more if you like
1 pound cavatappi or penne pasta
ricotta cheese and grated parmaesano/regiano

Steps:

1. Remove the sausages from the casings and crumble. Put a little olive oil in bottom of a large pot and start to brown and crumble until all redness is gone. Usually takes about 10 minutes. Remove with slotted spoon and leave fat in the pan. To the remaining fat in the pan add the onions and garlic on low heat until soft, about 3 or 4 minutes. Add the fennel seeds, salt and red pepper flakes, saute still on low, stirring until fragrant. Add the tomatoes, all the juices too and tomato paste, oregano and cooked sausage and fresh basil cook and stir until thick and fragrant. Leave on a low flame for 45 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning to your taste.
2. Meanwhile, cook pasta in boiling salted water. Drain and toss with the sauce. If you desire to add ricotta do that or just top with grated cheese.
3. This sauce freezes well.