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Spinach Pasta Sauce Recipe

People are always surprised to hear that the "secret" ingredient in this special sauce is to add a touch of anise. The herb nicely complements the zippy Italian sausage and chunky tomatoes.—Margaret Allen, Abingdon, Virginia

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Spinach Pasta Sauce Recipe

Prep: 25 min. Cook: 1 hour

Yield: 8-10 Servings

25 60 85

Ingredients

1-1/2 pounds bulk mild Johnsonville® Ground Sausage
3 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
1/2 cup each chopped carrot, green pepper and onion
1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup beef broth or red wine
3/4 teaspoon each aniseed, seasoned salt, pepper, garlic powder, brown sugar, dried basil and oregano
4 cups coarsely chopped fresh spinach
Hot cooked pasta
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup crumbled cooked bacon

Directions

In a Dutch oven, cook and crumble sausage until browned; drain. Add mushrooms, carrot, green pepper and onion; saute for 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, sauce, paste, Parmesan, broth and seasonings; cover and simmer for 1 hour. Add spinach; heat through. Serve over pasta; top with mozzarella and bacon. Yield: 8-10 servings.

Nutritional Facts 1 serving (1 each) equals 274 calories, 16 g fat (7 g saturated fat), 50 mg cholesterol, 1,049 mg sodium, 17 g carbohydrate, 4 g fiber, 18 g protein.

Originally published as Spinach Pasta Sauce in Taste of Home December/January 1996, p41