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Sausage Pesto Pasta with Caramelized Onions and Peas

Sausage Pesto Pasta with Caramelized Onions and Peas

Delicious Sausage Pesto Pasta with Caramelized Onions and Peas for a hearty meal.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 2 cups
Calories 570 kcal

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • large deep skillet
  • Potato masher
  • Wooden Spoon

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Sauce Ingredients

  • 8 ounces bowtie pasta or any short cut pasta of choice
  • 1 pound Italian sausage ground or casings removed, sweet or spicy
  • 1 large onion thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ¼ cup pesto store-bought or homemade
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • ½ cup reserved pasta water
  • ¼ cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
  • 1 pinch chili flakes optional
  • ½ cup green peas fresh or frozen
  • salt to taste
  • pepper to taste
  • ¼ cup minced basil or parsley optional

Instructions
 

Cooking Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add a big pinch of salt. Cook pasta according to package instructions, reserving ½ cup of the starchy pasta cooking liquid to use later for the sauce.
  • While pasta is cooking, heat a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat and spray with cooking spray. Add Italian sausage to the pan and begin breaking down using a potato masher or wooden spoon. Cook until sausage is golden brown, stirring frequently, about 7-9 minutes.
  • In the same pan, drizzle in two tablespoons of olive oil and add the onion slices plus a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Reduce heat to medium and cook until onions are golden and caramelized, about 6-8 minutes, stirring frequently.
  • Once onions are caramelized, return sausage to the pan along with any juices. Stir in pesto, lemon juice, reserved pasta water, parmesan, and chili flakes to create a sauce. Toss in cooked pasta and green peas then stir well.
  • Check for seasoning and adjust to taste before serving. If you have fresh herbs like parsley or basil, sprinkle them in at the end right before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 2cupsCalories: 570kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 21gFat: 50gSaturated Fat: 16gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 22gCholesterol: 92mgSodium: 1077mgPotassium: 399mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 501IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 133mgIron: 2mg
Keyword Caramelized Onions, Dinner, Italian Sausage, Pasta, Peas, Sausage Pesto Pasta
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