Monday, January 21, 2008

Orechiette with Sausage, Beans, Spinach, Walnuts and Cream Cheese

1 pound orechiette pasta
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 pound turkey sausage, casing removed
1 small onion, chopped
1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano leaves or 1 teaspoon of dried
1/2 cup cream cheese or mascarpone if you can find it
1/2 cup of toasted walnuts
1 cup of packed fresh spinach or more if you like
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain pasta reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid.
In a large, heavy skillet warm the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and onions. Using a wooden spoon break up the sausage into bite-sized pieces as it browns. Continue cooking until the sausage is golden and the onions are tender. Add the beans and oregano cook for 2 more minutes. Add the cup of pasta cooking liquid and stir, scrapping up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Add the cheese and stir until it dissolved into a light sauce. Add the salt, pepper, and hot pasta and stir, toss in spinach to slightly wilt and top off with toasted walnuts.

4 comments:

barb said...

I love your blog!!! and thanks for stopping by our blogs of note PBE it's very much appreciated.

I'll be back fer sure.

ChichaJo said...

Orechiette is my favorite pasta shape! :) This pasta sounds yummy!

k said...

this sounds fabulous! I will try it. Thanks.

Obsessive Foodie or Food Addict....You Decide said...

Doodles~thanks for stopping. I didn't realize there were comments on here hahaha...for some reason it is not forwarding to me.

Chichajo~thanks for stopping...please give it a try. YUM