Cavatelli with Spicy Tomato-Sausage Sauce

Directions

Preparation: Remove casing from sausage.

Heat olive oil in large frying pan over medium heat; sauté sausage, breaking into small pieces, until color turns pale and sausage is just cooked through, about 10 minutes.

Add the tomato sauce, basil, and tomato juice; simmer, uncovered, over low heat for 5 minutes.

Sauce can be made 1 day ahead.

Cooking and Serving: Cook the pasta in 4 quarts boiling, salted water until just tender, about 8 minutes.

Drain well. Reheat the sauce.

Toss the pasta with sauce.

Serve on warmed serving dishes.

Garnish each serving with 3 tablespoons ricotta.