Print Recipe
Penne with Tomato Prosciutto Sauce
 
recipe image
Prep Time: 30 Minutes
Cook Time: 0 Minutes
Ready In: 30 Minutes
Servings: 8
Pasta at Thanksgiving? Even the most epic of meals in Italy will never skip the crucial primo course, and Italians in America make no exception. Though a bit of prosciutto underlines the savoriness of the tomato sauce, the dish is still light enough to take the edge off that holiday hunger without filling everyone up.
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large red onion, finely chopped (2 cups)
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
6 ounces thinly sliced fine-quality prosciutto, such as prosciutto di parma, finely chopped and separated into pieces (1 1/2 cups)
2 (28-ounce) cans italian plum tomatoes in juice, drained, reserving juice, and finely chopped
1 teaspoon sugar
1 pound penne rigate
accompaniment: parmigiano-reggiano (shavings or finely grated )
Directions:
1. Heat oil in a wide heavy medium pot over medium-high heat until it shimmers, then sauté onion until golden, about 10 minutes. Add garlic and sauté until golden, about 1 minute. Add prosciutto and sauté until golden, about 4 minutes. Add tomatoes with reserved juice, sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until thickened, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Cool, uncovered, then chill, covered, at least 8 hours (to allow flavors to develop).
2. Cook penne in a pasta pot of boiling salted water (3 tablespoons salt for 6 quarts water) until al dente. Drain well.
3. While pasta cooks, reheat sauce over medium heat.
4. Toss pasta with some of sauce in a serving bowl and serve remaining sauce on the side.
5. Cooks' note: Sauce can be chilled up to 3 days.
By RecipeOfHealth.com