Turkey Sausage & Spinach Orecchiette

Name: Turkey Sausage & Spinach Orecchiette
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings.
Ingredients: 1/2 pound uncooked orecchiette or small tube pasta; 3 hot Italian turkey sausage links, casings removed; 1/4 cup chopped onion; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes; 3 cups fresh spinach; 1/2 cup shredded Asiago cheese; 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1/4 cup rinsed and drained white kidney or cannellini beans; 1/4 cup chopped roasted sweet red pepper; 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning; Additional shredded Asiago cheese, optional

Don't let a funny sounding word like orecchiete scare you away. These little ear pasta shapes are the perfect partner for spicy turkey sausage and Italian seasoning. —Andrea Phillips, Lakeville, Minnesota

Ingredients

1/2 pound uncooked orecchiette or small tube pasta
3 hot Italian turkey sausage links, casings removed
1/4 cup chopped onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
3 cups fresh spinach
1/2 cup shredded Asiago cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup rinsed and drained white kidney or cannellini beans
1/4 cup chopped roasted sweet red pepper
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Additional shredded Asiago cheese, optional

Directions

Cook orecchiette according to package directions.
In a large skillet, cook and stir the sausage, onion, garlic and pepper flakes over medium heat for 6-8 minutes or until sausage is no longer pink; drain. Add the spinach, Asiago cheese, Parmesan cheese, beans, peppers and Italian seasoning; cook just until spinach is wilted, stirring occasionally.
Drain orecchiette; add to sausage mixture and toss to combine. Sprinkle with additional Asiago cheese if desired.

Nutrition Facts

1-1/4 cups: 382 calories, 11g fat (4g saturated fat), 47mg cholesterol, 593mg sodium, 47g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 22g protein.

Originally published as Sausage Vesuvio in Taste of Home August/September 2012

Reviews

My Review

Click stars to rate

Average Rating:

justmbeth

Dec 30, 2015

Wonderful! Definitely making again. Simple to assemble.
kgriff

Mar 31, 2014

I made this using mild Italian turkey sausage and it was really tasty. It's a little scant on sauce for my taste so I think next time I make it, I'll double the sauce ingredients. I made a big batch and froze some for lunch. It freezes and reheats surprisingly well!
alice balliet

Jul 4, 2013

Absolutely delish! Made it for some friends and we all had seconds. Can't wait to make it again.
e1leavell

Nov 13, 2012

We loved this! It will be a regular on our monthly dinner menu!
dymiller

Aug 12, 2012

Why any buys hamburger helper when you make something this good and this easy. A little crusty bread and a glass of light wine and you are in heaven!!
Anniepants

Jul 14, 2012

I am the author of this recipe. I noticed they missed a key ingredient when publishing this, the extra virgin olive oil! I use a generous amount when cooking the sausage/onion/garlic/red pepper mixture.