Penne & Sausage with Tomato Cream Sauce

There's nothing like homemade sauce if you've got the time and patience.  This recipe features a homemade sauce that's ready in no time.  If you want to create a restaurant dish right in your own home, look no further.  I made this last night and my kitchen still smells fantastic today!

Ingredients:

• a box of your favorite penne pasta
• olive oil
• 1 lb italian sausage (hot or sweet, depending on your pref...or both!)
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• crushed red pepper
• sweet basil
• 28oz crushed tomato or tomato puree
• a pinch of salt
• 3/4 tsp sugar
• 2 tbsp Absolut Peppar vodka (you could use regular vodka, whatever you have on hand)
• 1/2c heavy cream
• optional garnish: grated parm, diced green onion & minced cilantro

1. Cook a box of penne per the instructions on the box.  Drain well.  While the pasta is cooking, you can make your sauce.
2. In a sauce pot, add a little olive oil and 1 lb of sausage (casings removed).  I found hot italian sausage already removed from the casings... score!  Cook on medium high heat until browned.  Then add the garlic, some crushed red pepper and some basil, to taste.  Cook 2 min.  Add the crushed tomato or puree, a pinch of salt, and the sugar.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat o medium low, and simmer for 15 min, stirring on occasion.
3. Stir in the vodka, the cream, and some additional basil and crushed red pepper, to taste.  Bring to a boil again, reduce to low, and cook for another 10 min, stirring on occasion.  Stir in the drained pasta, mixing well to coat, and cook 1 minute longer.
4. Garnish with parm, green onion and cilantro. 

Serve this pasta dish with a nice antipasto or caesar salad and some italian bread, and you've got a restaurant-worthy meal right in your own home!