Kitchen Sink Pasta Sauce

It's a weeknight. You might be a little tired, time might not be on your side, and you may be pressed to make a dinner and fast. Now's when you frantically open the refrigerator and scan the shelves and drawers looking for something - anything - that will work. 

Now's when I tell you a simple and last-minute pasta sauce is in your sights. And it'll take you no time. Well, hardly any time. 

I'm calling this my Everything but the Kitchen Sink Pasta Sauce because you can use whatever you have on hand. I only had half a red onion and no canned tomatoes so I got creative. If you don't have the ingredients I listed below, don't fret.

Kitchen Sink Pasta Sauce

Ingredients
olive oil
1/2 red onion, diced
1 medium shallot, minced
4 cloves of garlic, minced
10 baby carrots, finely chopped
2 stalks celery, finely chopped
2 spicy Italian sausages, casings removed
Red wine
1-28 oz. can marinara sauce
10 cherry tomatoes
Nutmeg
Sugar
Salt & pepper

Directions
Heat olive oil in large sauce pan, add in onions. Stir to evenly cook onions and keep them from browning. 

I used a food processor to finely chop the carrots and celery.

 
Once the onions are soft and changing color, add in the chopped carrots and celery. Saute for a few minutes then add in the shallot and garlic.  
After one minute add in the sausage, breaking the meat up with a spoon. Saute until the meat is cooked through. Add in about 1/4 cup of red wine to deglaze the pan.

  

Add in the marinara sauce, cherry tomatoes, and a little more red wine. Stir together and reduce heat to med-low. Season with nutmeg, a spoonful of sugar, and salt and pepper. Always season to taste. This sauce will be slightly sweeter than other sauces because of the carrots. If you like oregano or something a little spicier add it on in.

If you are rushed for time start boiling your pasta water now and let the sauce simmer until you're ready to serve. If you have more time, turn the heat down to low and leave the sauce alone.

I used pesto-filled tortellini which I found to be a perfect match with the sweet sauce. Serve your pasta with a healthy topping of Parmigiano cheese, a simple salad, and glass of wine. 

Salut!