Penne Pasta With Meat Sauce

Name: Penne Pasta With Meat Sauce
Ingredients: 1/2 pound penne pasta (use rice pasta for gluten-free version); Salt; 2 Tbsp olive oil; 2 cups chopped onion (about 1 large onion); 2 cloves garlic, chopped; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (blend of dried basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, marjoram, and savory); Dash red pepper flakes; 1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme (or a pinch of dried); Salt and freshly ground black pepper; 1 pound (16% fat) ground beef; 3 fresh basil leaves, chopped (or a 1/2 teaspoon of dried); 2 1/2 cups canned chunky tomato sauce (almost 1 28-ounce can, Muir Glen brand if you can get it); 1 teaspoon sugar; 1 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley