Cayenne Sausage and Pepper Campanelle

I want to spice things up this holiday season.

I refuse to let the holidays be bland. Think crazy Christmas Target Ad lady. Less crazy, more christmasy.

Even the Mariner got festive this year...

Normally thoughts of nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves illicit feelings of the holidays. 

Today, I want you to think cayenne.

As in Cayenne Sausage and Pepper Campanelle. If I had been wiser, I would have used red AND green bell peppers. To make it more Christmas-y of course.

Oh and you can bet your two turtle doves that I made it in to Lasagna Soup the next day.

Cayenne Sausage and Pepper Campanelle 

1 lb Italian Sausage

1 Red Bell Pepper, chopped into 1" pieces

1 Yellow (or green) Bell Pepper, chopped into 1" pieces

1 Small Onion, chopped into 1" pieces

3/4 cup white wine

3 Cloves Garlic, minced

28 oz diced tomatoes

8 oz Campanella Pasta (or whichever you have on hand)

1 tbsp cornstarch

1 tbsp evoo

3 tsp cayenne pepper

Salt & pepper, to taste

1 tsp basil

1. Dice peppers, garlic, and onion and set aside. 

2. Add a dash of salt to a pot of water and bring to a boil for pasta. Follow package directions to cook pasta to al dente.

3. Sautee Sausage on Medium High heat until brown, and remove from pan. Drain all but 1 tsp drippings. Add EVOO, garlic, and vegetables, and sauté until translucent. Deglaze the pan with wine, scraping up browned bits. Reduce the wine to half, by cooking over medium heat for 4-5 minutes. 

4. Add tomatoes (undrained) to pan, along with basil, salt & pepper, and cayenne. Cook for 10 minutes on Medium-Medium High heat until flavors are even and rich. Remove a ladleful of liquid into a small bowl, add cornstarch and mix until creamy. Add back to sauce, stirring throughout. If the sauce is still too runny, you can repeat this process with another tablespoon of cornstarch and ladleful of sauce.

*Adjust cayenne to your desired spice level!

"How delightful is your love, my sister...How much more pleasing is your love than wine, and the fragrance of your perfume more than any spice!"Song of Songs 4:10