Pasta with Sausage Ragu

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, EVOO
• 1 carrot, peeled and grated or finely chopped
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 rib celery with leafy tops, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, chopped or thinly sliced
• Salt and pepper
• ½ pound sweet sausage with fennel
• ½ pound hot sausage
• ½ pound ground pork
• 2 tablespoons sage, finely chopped
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 cup red wine
• 1 cup chicken stock
• One 14-ounce can Italian crushed tomatoes, or 2 cups passata
• 1 pound Gigli Toscani, campanelle or other short-cut pasta
• Grated pecorino cheese, and/or sheep’s milk ricotta

Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat with olive oil, 2 turns of the pan, add carrot, onion, celery, garlic, salt and pepper. Sweat the vegetables to soften 5-7 minutes. Split the sausages from their casings and remove the meat. Add the sausage and pork to the pot and break up with a wooden spoon or fork to lightly brown and crumble. Add the sage and tomato paste, stir until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add wine and let it absorb, add stock and tomatoes and lower heat to simmer.

Bring a large pot of water to boil for pasta.

Salt water and cook the pasta 1 minute less than package directions. Reserve about ¾ cup starchy cooking water and drain pasta. Toss pasta with sauce and cooking water to combine, add grated cheese or ricotta if you prefer a very creamy presentation.