360gdried short pasta, penne, fussilli, farfalle or similar
3tablespoonrapeseed oil
6low-fat pork sausages
1teaspoonchili flakes, to taste
1teaspoonsmoked paprika powder
1onion, roughly chopped
2tablespoontomato puree
400gcan plum (whole) tomatoes
2teaspoondried basil
2clovesgarlic, minced
2tablespooncapers, drained and rinsed
For serving (Optional)
1blockItalian mozzarella cheese
1lemon, juice only
1handfulfresh parsley
1-2red or green chili, or more chili flakes
black pepper, to taste
Instructions
Cook the pasta according to instructions on the packet. Save some of the starchy water for step no. 4. Prepare the sauce in the meantime.
Add rapeseed oil to a large frying pan and set on medium-high heat. Cut the sausages into small chunks and add them to the pan. Season with chili flakes and smoked paprika. Fry until brown and fully cooked, turning occasionally. Once cooked through (after 7-10 minutes), set the sausage meat aside.
Using the same frying pan, add a bit of oil if it looks dry. Lower the heat to medium. Add chopped onion and cook until soft and glossy (3-4 minutes). Add tomato puree and stir. Fry for 1 minute.
Add plum tomatoes from a tin, season the sauce with basil. Add 150ml pasta cooking water. Cover and leave to simmer for 5 minutes.
Add minced garlic, capers, and cook for 1 minute. Add the cooked sausage chunks, and cooked pasta, toss and cook for 1 more minute.
Toss well and serve with chunks of fresh mozzarella, fresh chopped parsley, squeeze of lemon, fresh or dried chilies and black pepper. Enjoy on its own or with a slice of homemade garlic bread.
Notes
Possible swaps:
Fresh sausages or sausage alternatives (chicken, turkey, beef, or vegan and vegetarian sausages), smoked sausages (kielbasa, bratwurst, chorizo, Andouille etc),
Use gnocchi instead of pasta (125g uncooked gnocchi per serving),
Replace capers with olives (Kalamata [Greek], green or black olives),
Parmesan, or Grana Padano,
Herbs (oregano, thyme, rosemary) - dried, fresh or frozen.
Make it mild: Use sweet paprika instead of smoked paprika, do not add chilies.