Craving a quick and delightful meal that doesn’t compromise on flavor? Dive into this simple yet sumptuous Pesto Orecchiette with Chicken Sausage! Using fully cooked Italian-style chicken sausage and a handful of readily available ingredients, you can whip up this delectable dish in a mere 20 minutes. Perfect for those busy weekdays or when you simply wish to indulge in a gourmet experience right at home.
Ingredients:
- Pasta & Veggies:
- Orecchiette: ¾ pound
- Fresh Green Beans: ½ pound (trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces)
- Frozen Peas: 1 cup
- For the Sausage Mix:
- Olive Oil: 1 tablespoon
- Fully Cooked Italian-style Chicken Sausage Links: 8 ounces (thinly sliced)
- For the Pesto Sauce:
- Pesto: ⅓ cup
- Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese: ½ cup (around 2 ounces)
Instructions:
- Pasta Preparation: Begin by cooking the orecchiette pasta as per the package’s instructions. An interesting twist – introduce the green beans and peas in the last 3 minutes of the pasta’s cooking time. Once done, reserve about 1 cup of the cooking water and drain the pasta and veggies. Transfer them back to the pot.
- Sausage Cooking: Concurrently, as the pasta is boiling, take a large skillet and heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Introduce the thinly sliced sausage into the hot oil. Let them cook, ensuring you turn them occasionally. The goal is to achieve a beautifully browned sausage in about 6 to 8 minutes.
- Combining Flavors: Now, to the pot with the pasta and veggies, add the browned sausage, rich pesto, aromatic Parmesan, and about ½ cup of the reserved cooking water. Give this a thorough toss, ensuring everything is well-combined. If you find the mix a tad thick, you can add some more reserved cooking water to get the desired consistency.
Serving Suggestions:
This dish is best served hot, garnished with some more grated Parmesan and a sprinkle of fresh herbs if you have some on hand. Pair it with a light salad or some garlic bread for a wholesome meal.
Conclusion:
Dinner dilemmas are now a thing of the past with this quick Pesto Orecchiette with Chicken Sausage recipe! Fresh, flavorful, and fabulously fast, it’s bound to become a regular in your dining rotation. Enjoy your meal, and don’t forget to share this delightful recipe with your friends and family!