Zesty Turkey Sausage Rigatoni

As family starts to roll into town, I always have a plan for easily feeding a crowd and pasta is definitely a simple solution. This pasta sauce provides just the right amount of heat and the rigatoni is the perfect vessel to soak up all those yummy San Marzano tomato juices. Serve this with a big leafy green salad and some crusty bread and dinner is ready!

1. Heat butter and olive oil over medium-high heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add turkey sausage, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper and cook until the sausage is browned and crumbly.

2. Add wine and cook until it is mostly evaporated. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, giardiniera and balsamic vinegar; bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook (uncovered) for 20 minutes. Stir the sauce occasionally, breaking up the tomatoes with the back of your spoon.

3. Meanwhile, cook pasta in salted boiling water for 13-14 minutes, or until tender. Drain pasta and add to the sauce.

4. Transfer pasta to a serving dish and garnish with shaved parmesan.

Zesty Turkey Sausage Rigatoni

Serves 6-8

All you need:

1 tablespoon butter

1 tablespoon olive oil

6 peeled garlic cloves, finely chopped

1 (19.5 ounce) package sweet Italian turkey sausage links, casings removed

1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 cup red wine

1 (28 ounce) can San Marzano tomatoes, with juice

2 tablespoons tomato paste

1/2 cup chopped hot giardiniera

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

10 ounces uncooked rigatoni pasta

Shaved parmesan, for topping

All you do:

1. Heat butter and olive oil over medium-high heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add turkey sausage, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper and cook until the sausage is browned and crumbly.
2. Add wine and cook until it’s mostly evaporated. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, giardiniera and balsamic vinegar; bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook (uncovered) for 20 minutes over low heat. Stir occasionally, breaking up the tomatoes with the back of your spoon.
3. Meanwhile, cook pasta in salted boiling water for 13-14 minutes, or until tender. Drain pasta and add to the sauce.
4. Transfer pasta to a serving dish and garnish with shaved parmesan.