Step 1

Bring a pot of water to a boil and add a pinch of salt and the pasta.

Step 2

Cook the pasta following the instructions on the package, then drain and keep warm.

Step 3

Reserve ½ cup of the pasta sauce.

Step 4

Meanwhile, as the pasta cooks, heat up the oil in another pan.

Step 5

Sauté the onion in the oil for 10 minutes, along with the red pepper flakes if using.

Step 6

Add the sausage and cook until browned, breaking it up with a wooden spoon.

Step 7

Add the garlic and cook for 2 minutes.

Step 8

Add the tomato paste, stir and cook for another 2 minutes.

Step 9

Add the broth or wine, tomatoes, salt and black pepper, and cook for 10 minutes

Step 10

Scrape the stuck-on browned bits off the bottom of the pan as you go.

Step 11

Stir in the zucchini and cook for 5 minutes.

Step 12

Mix the drained cooked pasta into the zucchini mixture, adding some of the reserved pasta water if needed.

Step 13

Stir in the basil, then serve with grated parmesan on top.