Sausage and Tomato Pasta

In our home we love pasta and it plays a weekly repertoire, it's one of those dishes that are the answer to a quick and easy meal or a big affair like a lasagne for entertaining friends or family. This recipe is one of many favorites in our home. I like using different shaped pasta and today I've used Festoni pasta which I bought at Waitrose. I also use the thinner sausages which I grill instead of frying, before cutting into bite sized pieces.

Serves 4

1 tbsp olive oil
4 thick pork sausages, cut into bite-sized pieces
2 garlic cloves, crushed
200ml/7fl oz medium white wine
1 tbsp tomato purée
400g can chopped tomatoes
500g pack rigatoni or penne
Handful of basil leaves, torn, (optional)
Parmesan, to serve

1. Heat the olive oil in a heavy-based pan (preferably not non-stick) and add the sausages. Fry for about 8 mins until golden and cooked through. Tip in the garlic and fry for 1 min. Pour in the white wine and boil until it has reduced by half.

2. Stir in the tomato purée and tomatoes, and season to taste. Simmer for 15 mins until the sauce is rich and thick.

3. While the sauce cooks, boil the pasta according to pack instructions and drain. Stir in the basil if using, and cooked pasta into the sauce, then serve in bowls with grated or shaved parmesan.