Creamy Tomato Fettuccine

Fill a large pot 3/4 of the way up with salted water; cover and heat to boiling on high. Wash and dry the fresh produce. Peel and finely chop 2 cloves of garlic. Thinly slice the mushrooms. Quarter the zucchini lengthwise; cut crosswise into 1/4-inch pieces. Halve, peel, and medium dice the onion.

Add the pasta to the pot of boiling water. Cook, stirring occasionally, 8 to 10 minutes, or until al dente (still slightly firm to the bite). Turn off the heat. Reserving 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water, drain thoroughly and return to the pot.

Meanwhile, in a large pan, heat a drizzle of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the breadcrumbs, half the chopped garlic, and half the thyme sprigs; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, 2 to 3 minutes, or until lightly browned and toasted. Transfer to a plate and immediately season with salt. Carefully discard the thyme sprigs. Wipe out the pan.

In the same pan, heat a drizzle of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the sausage. Cook, stirring frequently and breaking the meat apart with a spoon, 7 to 9 minutes, or until browned and cooked through. Leaving any browned bits (or fond) in the pan, transfer to a bowl.

In the same pan, heat a drizzle of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the sliced mushrooms in an even layer. Cook, without stirring, 2 to 3 minutes, or until lightly browned. Add the zucchini pieces, diced onion, remaining chopped garlic, and remaining thyme sprigs; season with salt and pepper (if the pan seems dry, add a drizzle of olive oil). Cook, stirring occasionally, 2 to 3 minutes, or until slightly softened. Carefully discard the thyme sprigs.

Add the tomato paste to the pan; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring constantly, 1 to 2 minutes, or until thoroughly combined. Add 3/4 cup of water (carefully, as the liquid may splatter) and as much of the red pepper flakes as you’d like, depending on how spicy you’d like the dish to be. Cook, stirring frequently, 3 to 4 minutes, or until the sauce is slightly thickened and the vegetables are softened. Turn off the heat. Taste, then season with salt and pepper if desired.

To the pot of cooked pasta, add the cooked sausage, cooked vegetables and sauce, butter, and half the reserved pasta cooking water. Cook on medium-high, stirring constantly, 1 to 2 minutes, or until combined and the pasta is coated (if necessary, gradually add the remaining cooking water to ensure the pasta is thoroughly coated). Turn off the heat. Stir in the crème fraîche until combined. Taste, then season with salt and pepper if desired. Serve the finished pasta garnished with the garlic-thyme breadcrumbs and parmesan. Enjoy!