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Sausage Pesto Pasta with Caramelized Onions and Peas
This easy, 20 minute pasta recipe is made with Italian sausage, basil pesto, caramelized onions, and sweet green peas. Kid-friendly and crowd-pleasing, this sausage pasta recipe is sure to be a new favorite.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings:
4
Calories:
570 kcal
Course:
Main Course, Dinner
Cuisine:
Italian, American
Ingredients
- 8 ounces bowtie pasta cooked according to package instructions, or any short cut pasta
- 1 pound Italian sausage (ground or casings removed, sweet or spicy)
- 1 large onion (thinly sliced)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ¼ cup pesto (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- ½ cup water reserved pasta water
- ¼ cup Parmigiano-Reggiano grated
- pinch chili flakes (optional)
- ½ cup green peas (fresh or frozen)
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- ¼ cup basil optional, minced or parsley
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add a big pinch of salt. Cook pasta according to package instructions, reserving 1/2 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 (ground or casings removed) 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.
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Nutrition Information
Serving
2cups
Calories
570kcal
(29%)
Carbohydrates
9g
(3%)
Protein
21g
(42%)
Fat
50g
(77%)
Saturated Fat
16g
(80%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
5g
(29%)
Monounsaturated Fat
22g
(110%)
Cholesterol
92mg
(31%)
Sodium
1077mg
(45%)
Potassium
399mg
(8%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
3g
(6%)
Vitamin A
501IU
(10%)
Vitamin C
15mg
(17%)
Calcium
133mg
(13%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 570
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 2cups | |
| Calories | 570kcal | 29% |
| Carbohydrates | 9g | 3% |
| Protein | 21g | 42% |
| Fat | 50g | 77% |
| Saturated Fat | 16g | 80% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 5g | 29% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 22g | 110% |
| Cholesterol | 92mg | 31% |
| Sodium | 1077mg | 45% |
| Potassium | 399mg | 8% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 501IU | 10% |
| Vitamin C | 15mg | 17% |
| Calcium | 133mg | 13% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.