Donna’s Slow Cooked Penne Pasta

01 June 2016:  Hi Friends, cooking away from your own kitchen can be a bit more challenging but using a slow cooker helped in this case!  Although there are many variations of pasta sauces out there, this particular  recipe, inspired by one from Taste of Home, came together quickly and was hearty and delicious.  Give it a try!  Ciao, Donna:

Donna’s Slow Cooked Penne Pasta*

Ingredients:

1 Tablespoon olive oil

1 pound fresh mild Italian sausage

1 large onion, chopped

8 ounces Baby Bella mushrooms, sliced

1 quart stewed tomatoes, preferably home-canned

One 15 ounce can tomato sauce

1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar

1 Tablespoon brown sugar

Salt and pepper to taste

1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped

One pound box Barilla Gluten Free Penne Pasta, cooked

Parmesan cheese, shredded

Method:

Spray slow cooker with cooking oil and preheat to High setting.  Heat oil in large frying pan and saute meat until cooked through.  Drain and place in slow cooker.  Stir fry onions and mushrooms in pan and add to slow cooker.  Add rest of ingredients to slow cooker except basil, pasta and cheese.  Cook on High for 2 hours, then turn to Low for 2 - 3 hours.  Stir in basil just before serving.  Spoon sauce over cooked penne and sprinkle with cheese, serving immediately.

Serves 6.

*Inspired by Taste of Home’s Family-Favorite Pasta Sauce Recipe

Copyright 2016.