Juste une femme dans la cuisine: Sugo all'arrabbiata con penne

I don't always cook Italian. But when I do, it's gotta be spicy!

My sister and I were at Macaroni Grill awhile ago, and I had a pasta dish with meatballs and a sauce called Arrabbiata! It was supposed to be a spicy sauce and so I said voglio! It was very tasty, and as with most restaurant dishes I enjoy, I decided to recreate it, taking a few liberties of my own volition.

Here is the recipe for my version:

Arrabbiata Sauce

Olive Oil
1/2 cup diced onion
1/2 cup diced green pepper
Sliced garlic cloves to taste
28 oz can of good tomato sauce - Muir Glenn is a favorite of mine
14.5 oz can of diced tomatoes
Red pepper flakes to taste - I like it spicy!
Smoked Paprika to taste
Kosher Salt to taste
Black Pepper to taste

1lb penne pasta

1lb Hot Italian Sausage

Wedge Pecorino Romano

Ciabatta

Side Dish - Fagiolini alle Mandorle e Pancetta

Fresh green beans
4 strips bacon or pancetta, diced
Olive Oil
Sliced almonds
Sliced garlic cloves
Kosher Salt
Black Pepper

Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain, retaining two cups of pasta water, do not rinse, set aside.

Cook sausage until no longer pink, crumble and remove from pan, set aside. Add a tablespoon of olive oil to the pan and cook onion until translucent. Add green pepper and garlic slices, saute for a couple minutes, until the aroma hits your nose.

Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, red pepper flakes, paprika, salt and pepper. Combine well and let simmer for about 15 minutes. Add sausage to the sauce, mix and let simmer until heated through.

Add pasta to the sauce, mix thoroughly until all pasta is coated. Let simmer while side dish is cooking. If needed, add pasta water, 1/4 cup at a time to keep sauce loose.

Cook green beans in salted water for 12 minutes. Drain, set aside in separate dish. With pan back on heat, render bacon until cooked through. Add tablespoon of olive oil and saute almonds and garlic with bacon until garlic is soft. Return beans to pan, combine well and let cook for 10 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste.