Instructions

1. Begin by gathering all your ingredients: 1 lb of Italian sausage, 8 oz of pasta (penne or rigatoni), 1 chopped onion, 2 minced cloves of garlic, 1 jar of marinara sauce, 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, and fresh parsley for garnish.
2. In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. This usually takes about 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
3. While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spatula as it cooks. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes until the sausage is browned and cooked through.
4. Once the sausage is cooked, add the chopped onion to the skillet. Cook for another 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft and translucent.
5. Next, add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for an additional 1-2 minutes, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
6. Pour the jar of marinara sauce into the skillet with the sausage and onion mixture. Stir well to combine, and let the sauce simmer for about 5-10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
7. Once the pasta is cooked, reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta in a colander.
8. Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together, adding a bit of the reserved pasta water if the sauce seems too thick. Cook for another 2-3 minutes over low heat to heat everything through.
9. Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and well incorporated.
10. To serve, dish out the pasta and sausage mixture onto plates. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and additional grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
11. Enjoy your homemade sausage with pasta, a delicious Italian meal perfect for any occasion!