I LOVE wine. Just in case my 11-bottle purchase in Traverse City over the summer wasn’t a good hint, I will clarify that I absolutely love wine. I try to use them in sauces whenever I feel comfortable. I’ve made homemade marinara sauce before, but this time I wanted to try it with a Cabernet Sauvignon, which is my favorite.
I used Robert Mondavi Private Selection which is $11 ($9 on sale!) and is one of my favorite brands of wine that is carried in my local grocery store. I wasn’t exactly sure what this wine would do for my sauce, but I have to admit I think this was one of the BEST marinara sauces I’ve ever made!
Cabernet Marinara Sauce Recipe:
2 Tbsp. olive oil
2 Tbsp. chopped garlic
1/2 yellow onion – chopped (or pureed in a food processor)
1/2 cup cabernet sauvignon
28 oz. diced tomatoes
1 Tbsp. sugar
1/2 Tsp. red pepper flakes
2 Tbsp. basil – chopped (about 3 large leaves)
12 oz. mild Italian sausage
8 oz. mushrooms – sliced and sauteed
10 – 16 oz. cooked pasta – depending on how many people (10 oz. is more than enough for 2 servings)
Get a large pot of water started for your pasta. I used Giada de Laurentiis Fusilli de Buco becuase I thought it was a fun shape!
In a saucepan, sautee your garlic and onion in the olive oil until translucent.
Add your wine and simmer until it reduces nearly in half.
Add your tomatoes, basil, sugar, red pepper flakes and salt and pepper to taste.
In a separate pan brown your sausage and then add to sauce. In the same pan, sautee your mushrooms and add to sauce. Let sauce simmer on medium-low, stirring occasionally.
While your sauce is simmering, put your pasta in to cook according to package.
Top cooked pasta with sauce and serve!
As a little side note, by the time you read this I will be on vacation with two of my three very best girlfriends! Better yet, I will see my other best girlfriend as soon as I get back! This is going to be the best week ever. I’ll hopefully have eaten some amazing food on my trip that I can try to re-create for you when I get back!
Hope you are having an amazing time in Vegas! I have never made red pasta sauce on my own – but definitely going to try this! Love the addition of the mushrooms! can’t wait to try it :) xo, Karrin