Spicy Sausage and Tomato Risotto

This is a winner! Risotto cooked with sausage, tomatoes and topped with spicy pancetta. Comforting, easy and delicious.

Ingredients

• 1 pound Italian sausage

• 2 cups marinara sauce

• 4 tablespoons butter

• 1/2 cup pancetta, chopped

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 1/2 cup arborio rice

• 1/2 cup white wine

• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese

• 1 tablespoon Calabrian chilis

• 1/4 cup parsley, chopped

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

1. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large pot. Add the pancetta and cook until crisp. Remove from the pot and set aside. Mix the Calabrian chili with the pancetta.

2. Add the garlic and Italian sausage to the pot and saute until cooked through. Add the arborio rice, salt and pepper and mix to coat. Add the wine and simmer.

3. Add the marinara sauce to a large bowl and mix in 2 cups of water (this is the liquid you’ll use to cook the rice). Once the wine is absorbed add 1/4 cup of tomato water and mix well. Stir and continue adding 1/4 cup of tomato until the rice is al dente. Mix in the remaining butter and parmesan cheese to the risotto.

4. Top with the spicy pancetta and parsley.

Takes 30 minutes

Serves 4