Ziti al Fresco with Pizza Rolls

Ingredients

For the Ziti:

• 1 ½ lb penne or ziti
• 3 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 ½ lb hot & sweet bulk Italian sausage
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ cup + 1 tablespoon red wine, for deglazing
• ¾ cup tomato paste (approx one 6oz can)
• 1 ½ cup heavy cream
• ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes
• 2 bundles of fresh basil, chiffonaded
• Salt & fresh cracked pepper to taste

For the Pizza Rolls:

• 1 lb pizza dough
• ⅓ cup Parmigiano Reggiano, grated
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• Garlic olive oil

Instructions

1. 1
   For the Ziti: Heat oil over medium high heat in a large non-stick skillet until hot. Add sausage and onions. Cook and break up sausage until almost no pink is showing.
2. 2
   Add garlic and cook until sausage is cooked.
3. 3
   Use wine to deglaze pan then turn heat to medium low. Stir in tomato paste, then add heavy cream. Check for seasoning. If you want it spicier, add some red pepper flakes.
4. 4
   Bring to a low simmer and whisk gently until tomato paste is blended in. The sauce will be thick. I usually stir in some pasta water to loosen up the sauce. You could also add more cream. Your choice!
5. 5
   Stir in sun dried tomatoes and simmer for a few minutes. When almost done, stir in the chopped basil, reserving some for garnish.
6. 6
   Combine sauce with drained ziti. Sprinkle it with parmigiano and some fresh basil.
7. 7
   Now finish that bottle of wine you used to deglaze with and you will understand why you deglaze a pan with wine and why the chefs always say to never use a wine to cook with, that you wouldn’t drink on its own.
8. 8
   For the Pizza Rolls: Preheat oven to 400.
9. 9
   Roll out pizza dough to about a 12” roll. then roll out into a rectangle about 12” long and 6” wide. Using a pastry brush, brush with garlic oil.
10. 10
    Combine seasonings, grated cheese, and mix well. Sprinkle on pizza dough and roll up as you would a jelly roll. Cut up into 12 equal slices.
11. 11
    Place each side cut side up into a greased muffin cup that has been greased with garlic oil. Let rise as long as you can before placing in oven and baking for 15 minutes.