Cindy's Sweet Sausage Pasta Sauce

Transform your pasta nights with Cindy's Sweet Sausage Pasta Sauce, a hearty, flavor-packed recipe that's perfect for the whole family. This luscious sauce combines the savory richness of sweet Italian sausage with a medley of aromatic ingredients like garlic, onion, and red bell pepper, all simmered in a robust tomato base. A touch of sugar balances the acidity, while dried basil, oregano, and optional red pepper flakes add depth and a hint of spice. Fresh parsley and basil stirred in at the end lend a vibrant, herbaceous finish. Ready in under an hour, this sauce pairs beautifully with your favorite pasta for a satisfying and cozy dinner. Perfect for meal prepping or entertaining, this homemade pasta sauce will become a staple in your kitchen. Keywords: Sweet Sausage Pasta Sauce, homemade pasta sauce, Italian sausage recipe, quick pasta dinner, comfort food recipe.

Nutriscore Rating: 78/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound sweet Italian sausage
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
• 28 ounces crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 teaspoons dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 0.5 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh Italian parsley, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil leaves, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the sweet Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it into small crumbles with the back of a spoon. This should take about 7-10 minutes.

Step 3

Remove the cooked sausage with a slotted spoon and set it aside on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess grease.

Step 4

In the same skillet, add the diced onion and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.

Step 5

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 6

Add the diced red bell pepper and sauté for another 3-4 minutes until tender.

Step 7

Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, dried basil, dried oregano, crushed red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Mix well to combine.

Step 8

Return the cooked sausage to the skillet and bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.

Step 9

Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer uncovered for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld together.

Step 10

Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed.

Step 11

Just before serving, stir in the chopped fresh parsley and basil for a burst of fresh flavor.

Step 12

Serve over your favorite pasta and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1130.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	609.3

Total Fat 30.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 4.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2463.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 79.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 17.9g	0%
Total Sugars 49.4g
Protein 12.1g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 257.4mg	0%
Iron 8.7mg	0%
Potassium 2547.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 43.0%

Protein: 7.5%

Carbs: 49.5%