Italian Special Recipe
Make Italian Special Recipe in just 45m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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Pasta & Sauce
Protein & Vegetables
Cheese & Finishing
Method
Pasta & Sauce
- 1
Cook the pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water (about 4 liters) to a rolling boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package directions until al dente (usually 8–10 minutes). Reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- 2
Start the sauce
While the pasta cooks, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced garlic and crushed red pepper; sauté for 30–45 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- 3
Build the tomato sauce
Add the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste to the skillet. Stir to combine, then add dried oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer, reduce heat to low, and let the sauce cook and reduce for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- 4
Finish sauce with basil
Stir in the torn basil leaves and 1 tablespoon olive oil into the sauce. Adjust seasoning with remaining salt and pepper to taste. If the sauce feels too thick, add up to 1/2 cup reserved pasta water to reach desired consistency.
Protein & Vegetables
- 5
Brown the sausage
In a separate large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the removed-sausage meat, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 6–8 minutes. Transfer cooked sausage to a plate lined with paper towel to drain excess fat.
- 6
Sauté vegetables
In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add the chopped onion. Sauté for 4–5 minutes until translucent. Add sliced mushrooms and cook until they release their moisture and start to brown, about 6 minutes. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Add the baby spinach and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes. Return the cooked sausage to the skillet, stir to combine, and remove from heat.
- 7
Combine with sauce
Transfer the sausage-vegetable mixture into the tomato sauce. Stir to combine and simmer together for 2–3 minutes so flavors marry. If sauce needs loosening, add up to 1/2 cup reserved pasta water.
Cheese & Finishing
- 8
Toss pasta with sauce
Add the drained spaghetti to the skillet with sauce (or return pasta to the large pot and pour sauce over). Toss thoroughly over low heat for 1–2 minutes so pasta absorbs sauce. If the mixture seems dry, add remaining reserved pasta water a few tablespoons at a time until glossy and well-coated.
- 9
Add cheeses and finish
Remove from heat. Sprinkle the grated Parmesan and shredded mozzarella over the pasta and gently fold until cheese melts and coats the noodles. Stir in lemon zest and chopped parsley. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
- 10