Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb Box of Penne or Rotini pasta ($1.00)
- 12 oz Package of Smoked Sausage or Kielbasa, sliced ($3.50)
- 1 Jar (24 oz) Marinara Sauce or 2 cans of tomato sauce with seasoning ($1.50)
- 1 Small Onion, diced ($0.50)
- 2 Cloves Garlic, minced ($0.25)
- 1 tbsp Vegetable Oil or Olive Oil ($0.10)
- 1 tsp Dried Italian Seasoning ($0.05)
- Optional: Grated Parmesan cheese or red pepper flakes (estimated $0.50)
Instructions
- Step 1: Boil the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until it reaches an “al dente” texture. Before draining, scoop out about half a cup of the starchy pasta water and set it aside. Drain the rest of the pasta and leave it in the colander. - Step 2: Sauté the Sausage and Aromatics
While the pasta boils, heat the oil in a large skillet or pan over medium-high heat. Add the sliced sausage in a single layer. Cook for about 3 to 4 minutes until the edges are browned and crispy. Add the diced onion to the pan and sauté for another 3 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and Italian seasoning, cooking for just 30 seconds until fragrant. - Step 3: Simmer and Combine
Pour the marinara sauce into the skillet with the sausage and onions. Turn the heat down to low and let it simmer for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Add the cooked pasta into the skillet. If the sauce looks too thick, stir in a splash of the reserved pasta water to make it glossy. Toss everything together until the pasta is well-coated, then serve immediately.
- Cook Time: 25 minutes