In other words: my favorite Tuscan pasta !!
Ingredients:
- 1/2 to 3/4 lb mild Italian sausage (easiest to buy in bulk) 1lb if you like it sausage-y -- also I like to mix spicy and mild sometimes (get wild)
- 6 cloves garlic
- 1 Spanish or white onion
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon herbs de provence
- 1 TB butter
- 2 stalks fresh rosemary
- 1 bunch fresh thyme
- 1 lb rigatoni pasta or (mezzi rigatoni)
- 1 bag frozen peas
- 1 big handful fresh spinach
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup finely grated Romano or Parmaggiano-Reggiano cheese (buy the good stuff!!) more for garnish
- Cherry tomatoes (handful)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup scallions, chopped (optional for garnish)
- Chopped parsley for garnish
Directions:
1. Get a large enough pot with sides. Fry sausage, diced onion and 1 stalk of rosemary over medium-low heat in some olive oil until completely cooked, add some salt and pepper at this stage. Typically takes around 10 minutes to cook through.
2. Add the butter in the pan and then the garlic and fry for a minute.
3. Chop the other stalk of rosemary and thyme and add -- then toss in the hot pepper flakes, herbs de provence and garlic powder.
4. Turn down the heat and add all the cream. Slowly bring to a boil, stirring often and whisking the bottom. Once it boils, turn the heat down to simmer, stirring occasionally and continuing to let it bubble and thicken.
5. Cook the pasta
6. Add the frozen peas, the chunks of tomatoes and spinach to the cream/sauce. Add some more salt and pepper and give these a few minutes to let the spinach wilt and tomatoes soften.
7. Discard the rosemary and thyme sprigs. Add the cheese to the sauce and stir until it melts.
8. Once the pasta is done add it to the sauce - keep some of the pasta water in case you want to add after, if sauce is too thick.
9. Get a big serving bowl, pour the luscious mixed pasta in and top with additional cheese, a handful of scallions, some cracked black pepper, and some parsley to serve!!
Notes: Serve with crunchy warm bread, naan or garlic knots - the sauce is soooo flavorful! I also like to make a nice light salad.
xoxo Chef Em
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