Penne Pasta with Meat Sauce

Name: Penne Pasta with Meat Sauce
Ingredients: 8 ounces penne pasta; Salt; 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil; 2 cups chopped onion (about 1 large onion); 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; Dash red pepper flakes; 2 cloves garlic, chopped; 1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme, or a pinch of dried; Freshly ground black pepper; 1 pound ground beef (16% fat); 2 1/2 cups canned chunky tomato sauce (almost one 28-ounce can, Muir Glen brand if you can get it); 3 fresh basil leaves , chopped, or 1/2 teaspoon dried basil; 1 teaspoon sugar; 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley