Sausage & Chickpea Skillet

Ingredients

• 1 pound Italian sausage links, cut into 1-inch slices
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 cup chopped green pepper
• 2/3 cup chopped celery
• 1/2 cup chopped carrot
• 1-1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 can (28 ounces) stewed tomatoes
• 1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas or garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• Hot cooked rice or pasta, optional