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Sausage Pesto Pasta with Caramelized Onions and Peas

Sausage Pesto Pasta with Caramelized Onions and Peas

A delightful dish of Sausage Pesto Pasta with Caramelized Onions and Peas, combining savory sausage, fresh peas, and rich pesto.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course main dish
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4 cups
Calories 570 kcal

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Deep skillet

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Sausage

  • 8 ounces bowtie pasta cooked according to package instructions
  • 1 pound Italian sausage ground or casings removed, sweet or spicy

Vegetables and Seasonings

  • 1 large onion thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil for sautéing
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • ½ cup green peas fresh or frozen
  • ¼ cup minced basil or parsley optional
  • salt to taste
  • pepper to taste
  • pinch chili flakes optional

Sauce Ingredients

  • ¼ cup pesto store-bought or homemade
  • ½ cup reserved pasta water from cooking the pasta
  • ¼ cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

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. Once sausage is fully cooked, remove from the pan and set aside.
  • 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 that have formed. 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 onions, Pasta, Peas, Pesto, Sausage
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