Tempt My Tummy Italian

I few months ago I ate at Carabba's and ordered this as my side (to Chicken Marsala, of course). When I was eating it with the meal I didn't notice how good it was because it was unfairly competing with the Marsala. When I had it's leftovers I realized this is good, good, good. So I found a copy cat recipe. It's pretty easy to make and very tasty. AND it's spicy...so I don't have to share with anyone else in the house :) but I would if they asked! It's kind of like me getting a veggie pizza, I would share but I don't think I'll have to!

AMATRICIANA SAUCE
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 ounces pancetta-sliced 1/4-inch thick, then cut into 1/4-inch dice
3 garlic cloves, peeled
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 (35-ounce) can whole peeled Italian tomatoes with their juices, crushed by hand - I used 2 15 ounce cans of already diced
Pinch of sugar
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1/4 cup Romano cheese**

In a large saucepan, heat the oil. Sauté the diced pancetta with the garlic and crushed red pepper over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 5 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the canned tomatoes with their juices. Stir in the sugar and, season with salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Simmer the sauce over low heat, stirring occasionally, until it thickens and is reduced to 3 cups, about 30 minutes. Add the cheese right before serving.

Serve on some kind of funky past so that it holds the sauce....not angel hair, spaghetti, linguine.

Check out more Tempt My Tummy recipes at Blessed With Grace. You'll be glad you did!

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