Cheesy Tomato and Sausage Pasta

We woke up to a foot of snow on the ground this morning.  That kind of snow only comes around once every 5 years or so in the DC area, so it's brought the whole city to a standstill!  School is cancelled, my husband couldn't get to work, and it took us 3+ hours to shovel out today.   In short, since we couldn't go anywhere, it was a perfect day for finally typing up a new recipe that we've grown to love around here.   This pasta was easy to make and full of delicious flavor.  We didn't have much left over, but what there was made for a tasty lunch the next day too! 

Click here for printable recipe. 

Posted by Lara.

The ingredients: 

1 lb. Italian sausage (I like spicy chicken sausage)

4 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 onion, chopped

1 can (28-oz.) crushed tomatoes

2 tomatoes, diced

1 Tbs. dried basil

3/4 cup half-and-half

1/2 lb. fontina cheese, grated

1 lb. penne pasta, cooked according to package directions ( I used rigatoni noodles)

salt and pepper, to taste

Parmesan cheese (for garnishment)

Directions:  

Cut sausage into coins and brown in a large frying pan on medium-high heat, about 5-6 minutes.  

Add garlic, onion, tomatoes, and dried basil.  

Simmer about 5 minutes over medium medium heat to combine flavors.  

Add half-and-half. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 8-10 minutes.  

Add fontina cheese and stir until melted.  

Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve over hot noodles.  Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Makes 6 servings.  

Enjoy.  

Recipe Adapted from:    The Romney Family Table: Sharing Home-Cooked Recipes & Favorite Traditions