Sausage and Penne Marinara
Modified from Simple & Delicious
2 1/2 cups uncooked penne pasta
1 lb Italian sausage links, cut into 1 inch pieces [I left the casings on...it was a pain...I'm either going to cook the sausage whole first or take the casings off next time...I used Johnsville's Sweet Italian with basil...it was awesome!]
1 large onion, diced
1 medium pepper, diced [I used red and yellow...you can use whatever]
1 tbsp canola oil
1 can (14.5 oz) stewed tomatoes, cut up [I used my home canned tomatoes and just used 1/2 quart and diced a bit in the pan]
1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 cup frozen peas [this is my addition to get it like Applebee's Penne Rosa Pasta they no longer serve]
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes [I didn't use this]
Grated Parmesan, optional [we didn't]
Cook pasta. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook sausage, onion and pepper in oil until sausage is no longer pink and veggies are tender. Add tomatoes, tomato sauce and seasonings, heat through. I boiled a bit to thicken up. Add peas.
Drain pasta, toss with tomato mixture. Sprinkle with cheese if desired.