Easy Italian Sausage Pasta

1 Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne according to the package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of pasta water.
2 Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30–60 seconds, stirring frequently, until fragrant. Be careful not to let the garlic brown or burn.
3 While the pasta cooks, add more olive oil to the pan with the garlic and cook the ground sausage. Break it apart with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through.
7 Pour in the tomato sauce, tomato paste and stir to combine. Add ½ cup of the reserved pasta water and keep stirring in water. Let the sauce simmer for 3–5 minutes. Add more pasta water as needed until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
9 Turn the heat off and add the cooked penne to the skillet and toss until well coated in the sauce. Stir in the Parmesan and mozzarella until the cheese is melted and everything is creamy and combined.
11 Season with salt and pepper to taste. Top with fresh basil and plenty of extra Parmesan. Serve warm & enjoy!