Sausages in Tomato Sauce

Sausages in sauce are a rich and flavorful dish that can be served with a wide variety of sides, from polenta to mashed potatoes, to the simple and always appreciated slice of homemade bread. Here is the classic recipe, with a slight Italian influence in the preparation.

Ingredients

• 4 good quality pork sausages
• 1 medium onion, finely sliced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 400g tomato passata
• 1/2 glass of robust red wine (optional)
• 1 sprig of fresh rosemary or 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Extra virgin olive oil

Preparation

1. In a large skillet, heat a drizzle of oil and add the sausages. Brown them on all sides until golden. Remove the sausages from the pan and set aside.

2. In the same oil, sauté the sliced onion and minced garlic until translucent and lightly golden.

3. If using the wine, pour it in now and let the alcohol evaporate for a few minutes.

4. Add the tomato passata, rosemary, salt and pepper. Mix well and let the sauce cook for a few minutes.

5. Return the sausages to the pan with the sauce, cover and cook over low heat for about 30 minutes. If the sauce dries out too much, add a little water. Check occasionally and stir to prevent the sauce from sticking to the bottom of the pan.

6. Make sure the sausages are fully cooked before turning off the heat. Cooking time may vary depending on the size of the sausages.

Serve the sausages in sauce hot, perhaps accompanied by a sprinkle of grated Parmesan if you want an extra touch.

Trivia

Sausage in sauce is a very common dish in central-southern Italian regions, where every family has its own personalized version depending on local traditions and personal tastes. In particular, in some regions the sauce is made with the addition of mushrooms or extra pieces of meat to enrich the flavor.