Quick & Easy Zesty Sausage Pasta

In a heavy saucepan, heat the olive oil and cook the chopped onion until it is soft and translucent. Add the garlic and cook for a minute or two more until fragrant. Remove the sausage meat from the casings, and add to the saucepan. Using two forks, break up the sausage meat as it cooks into small pieces. Continue to cook until the meat is lightly browned. Add the chopped tomatoes and mix well. Season with salt and pepper, chopped basil and red pepper flakes if using and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Stir in half the parsley. Cook your pasta until it is “al dente” and top the pasta with the sauce. Sprinkle with remaining chopped parsley.