Italian Sausage and Wine w/Pappardelle Noodles

By Lsweetnell

A comforting meal for anytime. Some people like all hot sausage, some none. In this recipe I compromised. Feel free to choose the Italian sausages you like and know everyone will enjoy.

Ingredients

• Olive oil
• 2 spicy Italian sausage links, casings removed
• 2 sweet Italian sausage links, casings removed
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper
• 1 red bell pepper, cored and thinly sliced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, cored and thinly sliced
• 1 orange bell pepper, cored and thinly sliced
• 4 cloves garlic, pressed through garlic press
• 1/2 cup Chardonnay or a dry white wine
• 1 large can diced tomatoes with juice
• 2 tablespoons flat-leaf parsley, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, julienned, divided in half
• 8 ounces Pappardelle noodles, uncooked

Preparation

Step 1

1. First start, in a large pot, the noodles as directed on the package.

2. Place a large pan or pot over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Once the oil is hot crumble the Italian sausage into the pan in small chunks (but not too small) allowing it to brown. Once the crumbled sausage is browned, remove it from the pan with a slotted spoon and place into a bowl and set aside.

3. Add the onion to the pan with the sausage drippings and stir occasionally until slightly caramelized. (Add more olive oil if needed). Add salt, Italian seasoning and cracked black pepper and stir to combine. Add the bell peppers, and allow those to saute with the onion for about 2 minutes until just tender. Add the garlic and stir until it becomes aromatic. Add the white wine and allow it to cook until almost completely reduced. Add diced tomatoes with their juice and then return the browned sausage back into the pan and gently stir the mixture to combine. Allow it to simmer on low for 5 minutes. Turn off the heat.

To finish drizzle in 2-3 good tablespoons of the olive oil to create a silky, rich flavor and add in the chopped parsley and half of the julienned basil. Stir and keep warm while you prepare the noodles.

-As first mentioned, prepare the noodles according to instructions on package. Drain the noodles very well and add them directly to the sauce using tongs to gently toss.

Taste to see if you need to add any additional salt or pepper.

-To serve place mixture in large bowl and garnish with the remaining julienned basil.