Rigatoni With Sausage and Tomato Sauce

This has become a new favorite at our house! It's a great family dish and 
also perfect for entertaining.

1 T. olive oil
3 Mild Italian Sausage - chopped 
4 medium garlic cloves - crushed 
1 medium onion - chopped fine 
1 t. sugar 
1 large can tomato sauce (or use Michael's Tomato Sauce)
1 T. tomato paste 
5 basil leaves coarsely chopped plus extra for garnish 
1 box rigatoni 
3/4 cup half and half 
salt and pepper to taste
grated Parmesan or Romano cheese

Heat olive oil in heavy saucepan.  Add sausage and brown.  Add onions and garlic and cook 
until onions are tender. Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, sugar and basil.  Stir and cook over 
moderate heat for 20 to 30 minutes. Meanwhile, cook rigatoni as directed on package.  When 
rigatoni and sauce are ready, put half and half in a bowl and add a little of the hot sauce to it 
to temper the milk.  Remove pasta from cooking water to large bowl serving bowl.  Add sauce and 
a little of the pasta water to pasta and stir to coat.  Garnish with basil leaves and serve
with Romano or Parmesan cheese.  Enjoy!