Monday Night Italian -- Easy Penne with Sundried Tomatoes, Artichoke & Sausage

This is super easy and great for a quick Monday night meal. Inspired by the Molto Gusto (Mario Batali) & my friend Sara Eapen who made a version of this when Maureen and I went to visit her in her new condo in Boston.

Ingredients:

1 bottle of sun dried tomatoes in oil.

1 can artichoke hearts quartered

1 sausage from the fresh meats section -- I just got 1 regular sausage but usually the mild flavored freshly made sausage like apple, garlic or other from whole foods also works well.

Garlic - 3 pods

Shallots 1-2

Dry spices: Red pepper flakes, oregano, crushed pepper

Parsley fresh chopped fine

Parmesan cheese -- freshly grated very fine

Penne pasta

1) Boil pasta per directions -- about 15 minutes for penne. Add oil and salt to water

2) In a skillet (cast iron if you have it or other) sautee and cook sausage (remove casing and break for more of a crumble texture). Set aside

3) Add some of the oil from the sun dried tomato bottle and sautee minced garlic, shallots, red pepper flakes. pinch of oregano

4) Add rest of the sun dried tomatoes. Sautee and add the artichokes. Season with crushed pepper and a bit of salt as needed

5) Turn off and focus on pasta -- it should be slightly firm and not overcooked. When done add to skillet. Toss & add sausage.

6) Serve in a bowl. Add freshly grated parmesan & parsley. Enjoy with a glass of Pinot Grigio!!