Ingredients

The following ingredients have 4 Servings
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1 onion (peeled and roughly chopped)
  • 100 g | 3 1/2oz celery (roughly chopped)
  • 1/2 tbsp sugar (optional)
  • 1/2 tsp celery salt
  • 1/2 tsp garlic granules
  • dash Worcestershire sauce
  • rind of Parmesan cheese (optional)
  • 1 x400g | 14oz can chopped tomatoes in their juice
  • 80 g | 3oz roasted peppers (from a jar finely diced)
  • 240 ml | 1 cup water (or half water half white wine)
  • 6 good quality pork sausages
  • 300 g | 10 1/2oz tortiglioni (zitti pasta, cooked till al dente)
  • 150 g | 5 1/2 oz mozzarella pearls
  • 3 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
  • a little butter to grease the dish
  • 1/2 tbsp fresh thyme to garnish
  • salt and freshly ground pepper to season

Instruction

  • Preheat the oven to 180C (350F) and grease a deep 25cm (10in) ovenproof ceramic dish with a little butter.
  • Put the onion, garlic and celery in a mini chopper and pulse until finely diced (alternatively chop everything by hand).
  • Heat the olive in a large pot and pan fry the sausaged until nicely coloured on all sides. Set aside until cool enough to handle then cut into bite-sized pieces.
  • Tip in the chopped vegetables and pan fry over medium-low heat for 5 minutes, stirring.
  • Add the sugar, celery salt, garlic granules, Worcestershire sauce and stir together.
  • Pulse the chopped tomatoes in the mini chopper and add to the pot together with the water, chopped roasted peppers and the rind from Parmesan cheese (this will add a lot of flavour).
  • Add the chopped sausages, stir and bring to a rolling simmer. Cook for 20 minutes or until the sauce is a little reduced. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Remove the cheese rind.
  • Tip the pasta and 2 tablespoons of the grated Parmesan into the sauce and stir to combine.
  • Transfer to the ovenproof dish and either stir in the mozzarella pearls (mini mozzarella balls) or dot them over the top.
  • Bake for 10 mins or until the cheese is melting.
  • Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan and garnish with fresh thyme leaves.