MAMA'S ITALIAN PASTA SAUCE

MaMa's Italian Pasta Sauce image

Provided by Fred Alam

Time 3h45m

Number Of Ingredients 15

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3 lb italian pork sausage cut into 2 or 3 in. links (hot, sweet, or mild)
3 Tbsp olive oil, extra virgin
1 medium onion (diced)
3 clove garlic (finely choped or crushed)
2 can(s) (6 oz.) tomato paste
1/2 c red wine
1 Tbsp parsley flakes
2 tsp oregano, dried
2 tsp sweet basil, dried
1 1/2 tsp dried mint (cuts acid in tomatoes)
4 can(s) (28 oz.) crushed tomatoes
to taste salt
to taste black pepper
to taste crushed red pepper (if you want to add a kick)
1/2 c parmigiano-reggiano, grated

Steps:

1. In a large dutch oven or heavy sauce pan heat olive oil. Place sausage links in pan. Turn until evenly browned. Remove to a platter.
2. Add onion to pan stirring until translucent. Add garlic. Be careful not burn the garlic. Stir for about a minute. Add tomato paste, parsley, oregano, basil,and mint and stir for about a minute. Add red wine and stir for a couple minutes while scraping all the goodness off the bottom of the pan.
3. Add crushed tomatoes and stir to mix paste and wine into the tomatoes. Stir in parmigiano cheese. Add the sausage back to the pan. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to very low and simmer for 2 1/2 to 3 hrs. Stir occasionally to keep from sticking to bottom of pan.
4. About 15 min. before the sauce is done sprinkle in some more parsley, oregano, basil, and mint to freshen the flavor and add color. Serve over your favorite pasta.