Pesto Orecchiette with Sausage and Broccolini

This dish is always something I look forward to having at restaurants. I love the little ears because they are able to hold so much of the sauce or any ingredient that you add to the dish. I was walking through my local organic foods market and saw that this type of pasta was on sale, along with some delicious looking broccolini and the dish was formed in my head. I wanted something simple but hearty and this dish fit the bill. Without breaking the bank! I suggest pairing it with a salad and some freshly baked garlic bread for a super delicious and fulfilling meal. I hope you enjoy as much I did! 

Pasta Ingredients: 

2 cups of Orecchiette pasta (found mine at Sprouts) 

8 oz of spicy Italian sausage, casings removed 

2 cloves of garlic 

2 cups of saved pasta water 

1 1/2 cups of broccolini - trim roots and cut in half 

2 cups of mushrooms - diced in half 

Optional: Parmesan cheese for garnish 

Pesto Ingredients: 

2 cups of fresh basil leaves

2 tablespoons of pine nuts

2 large cloves of garlic

½ cup of extra virgin olive oil

½ cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese

First you'll want to make your pesto. Please combine the basil, pine nuts and garlic in a food processor and process until its finely minced. Then slowly you will want to incorporate the olive oil until the mixture is smooth. Lastly, you’ll add the cheese and process briefly. I think its best to make this ahead and keep in the fridge until you are ready to mix it with your pasta. 

Next bring a large pot of water to boil. Cook your pasta per the directions. When you pasta water boils, please remember to salt the pot before you add in the pasta. Remember to save a cup or two of your pasta water. 

I like to start prepping my ingredients once my pasta is in the pot. First remove the sausage from its casing and start cooking that through in a nice deep pan. You'll use this pan to create the pasta dish so its nice to use a deep pan that can hold the pasta. When the sausage is cooked through, remove from pan and add in one tbsp of olive oil and toss in your broccolini, mushrooms and garlic. Cook through, remember to salt and pepper your vegetables. If one thing is bland, your dish will taste bland. Once the broccolini and mushrooms are cooked through, add back in the sausage and add in your cooked pasta directly from the pot. Stir and add in your pesto. If your pasta is looking a bit too dry, please add in 1/4 quarter cup of pasta water at a time. Salt and pepper your dish. 

Heat everything through and serve while hot! 

Enjoy!

XX Kathy