- 2 1/2 pounds Italian sweet sausages, casings removed, crumbled
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 1/2 pounds mushrooms, thickly sliced
- 3 cups chopped onions
- 1 1/2 cups chopped fresh basil
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh oregano
- 6 large garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 cup dry white wine
- 5 cups canned crushed tomatoes with added puree
- 2 cups diced tomatoes (about 4 medium-large tomatoes)
- 2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter
- 1 1/4 pounds pappardelle or mafaldine pasta (or any wide, flat noodles)
- 1 1/2 cups grated pecorino Romano cheese (about 4 1/2 ounces)
- Sauté sausage in heavy large pot over medium-high heat until brown, about 12 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer sausage to large bowl. Add oil to drippings in pot. Add mushrooms and onions; sauté until tender and brown, about 15 minutes. Stir in 1 cup chopped basil, oregano, and garlic; sauté 1 minute. Add wine; cook until almost absorbed, about 4 minutes. Add sausage and crushed tomatoes; cover and simmer over medium heat until thickened, about 25 minutes. Add diced tomatoes and butter; simmer until tomatoes are soft, stirring frequently, about 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cool slightly. Chill uncovered until cold, then cover and refrigerate. Bring to simmer before continuing.)
- Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Drain well; return to pot. Pour sauce over pasta; toss to coat. Add 1/2 cup cheese and 1/2 cup basil; toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer pasta to serving dish. Serve, passing remaining cheese separately.