Pasta with Broccoli and Sausage

This was actually going to be today's Recipe of the Day, however I realized that Matt had brought home an extra head of broccoli the other day that needed using up. I also had some spicy Italian sausage on hand, so this worked out wonderfully for dinner.

olive oil, divided
3 links spicy Italian sausage
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 t dried basil, rubbed
2 cups (8 oz) package pasta (I used mostaccioli)
1 small head fresh broccoli, broken into small florets
hot pepper flakes to taste
freshly grated Parmesan cheese

In a large frying pan or skillet drizzled with a little oil over medium high heat, crumble sausage. Fry til golden brown and cooked through. Drain; wipe pan with paper towel. Return sausage to pan and stir in garlic and cook another minute or so. Stir in basil and remove from heat.


Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package. A few minutes before the pasta is done, stir in broccoli; drain, reserving about 1/4 cup cooking water.


Toss sausage mixture, pasta mixture, pepper flakes and a drizzle of additional olive oil in pasta cooking pot. If mixture appears dry, stir in a little reserved water. Add salt to taste.

I served the pasta with additional parmesan and a thick slice of buttered buttermilk cheese bread.http://media-files.gather.com/images/d921/d440/d745/d224/d96/f3/full.jpg


The original recipe can be found here:
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Broccoli-and-Sausage-Cavatelli/Detail.aspx?ms=1&prop25=14932260&prop26=DailyDish&prop27=2009-01-13&prop28=DailyRecipe&prop29=FullRecipe&me=1

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

~Big Al's~ Subs

Image
 I was inspired by this article from my sister Rob, who explains who Big Al is and what he has meant to legions of hungry people in a small town: http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977272353&nav=Namespace What makes Big Al's subs better than any others that I have tried are the buns. He uses the same dough recipe as he does for the pizza. This is what I have tried to recreate here. I also made the sub sauce, which is near world famous. I don't think anyone who orders a sub from Big Al's does not also get a side of the sauce. (Well, other than me, but Matt likes it, so of course I had to make it). This is my version of the Big Al's Special complete with sub sauce. Homemade Sub Buns (recipe follows) Capicola Genoa Salami Provolone Cheese Lettuce, tomato and onion Pepperoncini (optional. They aren't authentic to an Al's) Al's Sub Sauce (recipe follows) Homemade Sub Buns I use this pizza dough recipe, which I really like:
Read more

Magic Cookie Bars Recipe

Image
One of my favorite cookie bars of all! 1/2 cup butter, melted 1 1/2 cups vanilla wafer crumbs 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed Milk 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips 1 1/3 cups flaked sweetened coconut 1 cup chopped walnuts Preheat oven to 350°. Coat 13x9" baking pan with non stick cooking spray. Combine vanilla wafer crumbs and butter. Press into bottom of prepared pan. Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over crumb mixture. Layer evenly with chocolate chips, coconut and nuts. Press down firmly with a spatula. Bake 25 minutes or til lightly browned. Cool. Cut into bars.
Read more

Mario Batali's Pasta with Roasted Cauliflower

Image
This pasta was absolutely fantastic! 1/2 head cauliflower, broken into florets olive oil, divided salt and freshly ground black pepper 3 garlic cloves, minced 2 anchovies 1 small (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes 2 cups hot cooked pasta (I used cavatappi) 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan chopped fresh parsley leaves pinch saffron 1 T pine nuts, lightly toasted Preheat oven to 350°. Place cauliflower on a large baking pan and drizzle with a little olive oil and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Roast for about 15-20 minutes or til lightly golden. Remove and set aside. In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Cook garlic for a few seconds; mix in anchovies, tomato and garlic. Stir til the anchovies dissolve, about 5 minutes. Toss hot pasta with cauliflower, anchovie mixture, parsley, Parmesan, parsley and saffron. Taste and adjust as desired. Stir in pine nuts and serve immediately. I served the pasta with grilled Texas toast.
Read more