Fresh Tomato, Sausage, And Pecorino Pasta - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 lb whole wheat penne
1 lb Italian chicken sausage (spicy or hot!)
2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
1 cup onion, vertically sliced
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 lbs tomatoes, chopped
6 tablespoons pecorino romano cheese, divided
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup fresh basil (torn)
crushed red pepper flakes

Preparation

Cook pasta according to direction, omitting fat and salt. Drain.
Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Remove casings from sausage. Add oil to pan and add sausage and onions (and crushed red peppers, if using). Cook for 4 minutes, stirring to crumble sausage. Add garlic, cook 2 minutes. Stir in tomatoes; cook 2 minutes.
Remove from heat; stir in pasta, 2 tablespoons cheese, salt and pepper. Sprinkle with remaining cheese and basil.