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PENNE WITH TOMATOES, ITALIAN SAUSAGE, OLIVES AND TWO CHEESES

Penne with Tomatoes, olives and Two Cheeses

Course dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 6 tbsp olive oil
  • 3-4 Italian sausage links, casings removed
  • 2 cups chopped onion
  • 2 tsp minced garlic
  • 4 28 oz cans Italian Plum tomatoes I use San Marzano
  • 2 tsp dried basil
  • 1 1/2 tsp dried crushed red pepper
  • 2 cups canned low-salt chicken broth or homemade
  • 1 lb penne, rigatoni or ziti I used ziti
  • 2 1/2 cups packed grated Havarti Cheese
  • 1/2 cup sliced pitted brine-cured olives like Kalamata
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

Instructions
 

  • Heat 3 tablespoons of oil in heavy large Dutch oven over medium-high heat.  Add the Italian sausage and cook breaking up with a wooden spoon. Add the onion and garlic and sauté until onion is translucent about 5 minutes.  Mix in tomatoes dried basil and crushed red pepper.  Crush tomatoes with a potato masher or with the back of your spoon to break into smaller pieces. Add the broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat then place a lid and simmer about an hour. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and chill. Rewarm over low heat before continuing.)
    Preheat the oven to 375.  Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until tender, but still firm.  Drain well. 
    Return the pasta to the same pot.  Toss with 3 tablespoons oil.  Pour the sauce over and toss to blend.  Mix in the Havarti Cheese.  Transfer to a 13x9 baking dish.  Sprinkle with the 1/2 cup of olives, then Parmesan.  
    Bake until pasta is heated through, about 30 minutes.  Sprinkle with fresh basil.  
Keyword havarti, Italian, Italian Food, kalamata olives, pasta, penne, tomatoes, two cheeses