Quick Linguini with Turkey Sausage

I can still visualize my father, standing in front of the stove, singing over a pot of sugu (his word for sauce). The window is open and the breeze is blowing the aroma of sautéed onions and garlic throughout the house. To this day, the smell of onions and garlic sautéing in a pan with some olive oil can make me ravenous. I feel a bit like Pavlov’s dog! Am I drooling?

My dad would start his “sugu” early and let it simmer for hours. His sauce was amazing and, sometimes, when guests are coming, I will take the time to make his long-simmering, drool-inducing recipe. But, let’s face it: Most days you just don’t have that kind of time. So I’ve created a quick cooking recipe for those busy days. The slow cooked flavor is still there, but the time in front of the stove is cut down to 25- 30 minutes.

This recipe’s long cooking flavor comes from adding a little broth to the sauce. Because the broth has been cooked for several hours (usually by Swanson or Knorr) it gives the more intense taste you look for in sauce. Also, by switching the pork sausages in my father’s sauce to ground turkey sausage, the cooking time is cut to a fraction. And, by adding fennel, you get the flavors you enjoy when eating pork sausage.

Don’t get me wrong though; this recipe isn’t exclusive to just family. Your guests would love it as well. It’s saucy and scrumptious. You will slurp in every noodle with delight. Let’s face it, pasta is the food of the gods. Everyone loves it and it’s super easy to make. It’s perfect for those busy days when keeping your eyes open, your mind functioning, and your kids happy till bedtime feels like it will take the same effort as summiting Mt. Everest. Let me show you how easy this is.

Quick Linguini with Turkey Sausage

2 lb package ground turkey sausage, bulk
1 clove garlic, minced
1 small onion, diced small
1/4 tsp fennel seeds
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (omit these if you don’t want any heat)
2 tsp olive oil
1 can whole tomatoes in puree, (I break these up into smaller pieces by hand)
1 cup chicken broth
1 Tbs. tomato paste
8 ounces linguini

Serves 4-6

Heat oil in a pot over medium heat. Add onions and garlic (YUM!). Sauté until they begin to soften. Add in fennel and red pepper flakes. Stir for one minute. Add ground turkey sausage and cook until turkey is browned.
Add tomatoes, broth, and tomato paste. Salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for 25-30 minutes.

Bring a large pot of water to boil. After it begins to boil, add in a tsp of salt and stir. (This adds flavor to the pasta.) Add linguini to the pot and cook according to package directions. Drain, but do not rinse the pasta. Add to turkey sauce and stir until well blended. Serve with Parmesan cheese and a lovely glass of wine and you will see the clouds disappear and the sun shining through! I think my dad would approve.