Italian Chicken Sausage Marinara

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp good Olive Oil
• 1.5 lbs Italian Sweet Chicken Sausage, casing removed
• 
1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
• 3-4  garlic cloves, minced
• 
2 carrots, minced
• 
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced fire roasted tomatoes
• 1 (7-ounce) can tomato sauce
• 2 tbsp sundried tomato paste
• 1  tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tbsp dried Italian seasoning
• 8 fresh basil leaves, julienned
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup freshly grated Pecorino Romano or Parmesan Cheese
• 1 lbs. spaghetti noodles

Directions:

1. Place large skillet/pan over medium heat and coat with olive oil. Cook onions and carrots  until softened (about 5-8 minutes). Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds (until fragrant). Add tomato paste and cook for 1-3 minutes or until vegetables turn a rust red/brown color.
2. In the same skillet, add Italian Sweet chicken sausage. Brown the meat while breaking it up and cook for about 10 minutes.  Add oregano, thyme and Italian seasoning and cook for another 2 minutes.
3. Add crushed tomatoes, diced fire roasted tomatoes and tomato sauce. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Add bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper to taste. And adjust seasonings according to your taste.
4. While sauce is simmering, bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat and cook the spaghetti. Generously salt the water before adding the pasta. Cook pasta according to directions on package.
5. Turn off the heat on the sauce and add the julienned basil and stir gently.
6. Plate your noodles and sprinkle with cheese .
7. Serve immediately.