Sausage & Fennel Pasta

Instructions

1. Prepare the Sausage

   6 min hands-on

   • Remove the sausage from its casing and break into bite-sized chunks.
   • Heat a large pan over medium heat, add some olive oil, and cook the sausage for about 5-6 minutes until browned.
   • Transfer the sausage to a plate and set aside.

2. Cook the Garlic and Spices

   2 min hands-on

   • Finely mince the garlic.
   • Reduce the heat to low and add the remaining olive oil to the pan.
   • Stir in the minced garlic, fennel seeds, and cayenne pepper, cooking for about 1 minute.

3. Deglaze with Wine

   2 min waiting

   • Increase the heat to medium and pour in the wine.
   • Scrape up any browned bits from the pan and let the wine simmer for 2-3 minutes until reduced by half.

4. Reintroduce the Sausage

   1 min hands-on

   • Return the browned sausage to the pan and stir to coat in the wine mixture.

5. Prepare the Tomato Sauce

   3 min hands-on9 min waiting

   • Dice the tomatoes and press through a sieve into the pan, discarding skins and seeds.
   • Add salt and black pepper, then simmer for 8-10 minutes until thickened.

6. Cook the Pasta

   2 min hands-on9 min waiting

   • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
   • Cook the pasta until al dente according to package instructions.

7. Combine Pasta Water for Silky Sauce

   1 min hands-on

   • Reserve about half a cup of pasta water before draining.
   • Add a splash of pasta water to the tomato sauce and stir.

8. Toss Pasta with Sauce

   2 min hands-on

   • Add the drained pasta to the pan with the sauce and sausage.
   • Toss to coat, adding more pasta water if needed for consistency.

9. Finish and Serve

   2 min hands-on

   • Divide the pasta into bowls and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
   • Garnish with fennel seeds or black pepper if desired.
   • Cooking tips:
   • For a deeper flavor, allow the sausage to brown well before removing it from the pan.
   • Be patient when reducing the tomato sauce to ensure it clings beautifully to the pasta.
   • Always taste the sauce before serving to adjust the seasoning.