Dairy-Free Creamy Tomato Pasta with Sausage

Ingredients

• 1 lb Italian Sausage (sweet or hot)
• 1 lb Pasta (penne, rigatoni, or similar)
• 2 tbsp Olive Oil
• 1 medium Onion
• 4 cloves Garlic
• 28 oz Crushed Tomatoes
• 1 can Coconut Cream (full-fat)
• 1 tsp Dried Oregano
• 1 tsp Dried Basil
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
• 1/4 cup Fresh Basil (for garnish)

Instructions

1. 1Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the 1 lb of pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until al dente (tender but still firm to the bite). Before draining, carefully scoop out and reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
2. 2While the pasta is cooking, remove the 1 lb of Italian sausage from its casings. Place the sausage in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat (350°F / 175°C). Cook the sausage, breaking it up into small pieces with a spoon, until it is fully browned, about 5 to 7 minutes.
3. 3Add the 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the skillet with the browned sausage. Add the 1 medium onion, which should be diced into small pieces, and the 4 cloves of garlic, which should be minced. Cook, stirring frequently, until the onion pieces are softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.
4. 4Pour the 28 oz of crushed tomatoes into the skillet. Add the 1 can of coconut cream, 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, 1 teaspoon of dried basil, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Stir everything together well. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer over medium heat (300°F / 150°C) and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sauce should thicken slightly and the flavors will meld together.
5. 5Check the consistency of the sauce. If it seems too thick for your liking, gradually stir in some of the reserved 1 cup of pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired creaminess.
6. 6Add the drained 1 lb of cooked pasta directly into the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together gently until all the pasta is evenly coated with the creamy tomato sauce.
7. 7Divide the pasta among serving bowls. Garnish generously with the 1/4 cup of fresh basil leaves before serving immediately.

Substitutions

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