Bring a large pot of water to a boil, seasoning the water well with salt

While waiting for the water to boil-- peel, halve, and thinkly slice the onion. Halve, core, and thinly slice the bell pepper

Add oil to a pan over medium-high heat. Add onion, bell pepper, and seasoning. Cook, stirring occassionally for 3-4 minutes, or until vegetables are slightly softened.

Once softened, add sausage to vegetables. Break up the sausage into pieces as it cooks for about 5 minutes or until cooked through and browned.

Once water is boiling, add linguini. Cook until al dente. Before draining, reserve about a cup of the pasta cooking water and set aside-- then drain.

When sausage is cooked, add crushed tomatoes and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil and then adjust heat to a simmer while linguini cooks. Once spaghetti is drained, add about 3/4 cup of reserved pasta water and then let continue to cook for 2 minutes. Taste again and season if needed with more salt and pepper.

Add spaghetti to pan and toss to coat. Add small splashes of pasta water if needed in order to coat. Serve topped with chopped fresh basil and shredded parmesan cheese