Creamy Asparagus Sausage Pasta

his Asparagus Sausage Pasta is a delicious Italian pasta recipe that is

the perfect spring time dish to cook using some fresh asparagus.

Prep Time Cook Time Total Time

15 mins 25 mins 40 mins

Course: Pasta Cuisine: Italian Servings: 4 servings

4.48 from 19 votes
Calories: 498kcal Author: Rosemary Molloy

Ingredients
3 cups cooked short pasta (approximately 2 cups dry)
2 lbs asparagus
1 cup boiled asparagus water
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
1-2 cloves garlic (minced)
½ shallot (minced)
2 large Italian hot or mild sausages (casing removed and chopped)
2 tablespoons tomato puree (passata)
1-2 dashes pepper or hot pepper flakes
¼ teaspoon salt or to taste

Instructions
1. Clean the asparagus by snapping off the tough base of each spear, this is usually around the
bottom third of the spear, where the stem starts to turn tender. Keep only the tender
part. Chop into ¼ inch (¾ cm) size pieces (separate the heads from the stems).
2. In a small to medium pot, cook the heads in boiling water for approximately 5 minutes,
remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
3. Boil in the same water the cut up stems for 10-15 minutes or until tender. With a slotted
spoon remove the stems, DO NOT THROW AWAY THE WATER, and place in a blender with a 1
cup of the boiled asparagus water. Blend until smooth.
4. In a large frying pan add the olive oil, butter, garlic, shallot and cut up sausage, cook for
approximately 10 minutes, until the sausage is no longer pink, then add the tomato puree,
pepper or hot pepper flakes, blended asparagus and asparagus heads,(add salt if desired)
cook on low to medium for approximately 10-15 minutes, stirring often.
5. Add the cooked pasta al dente, and ¼ cup of pasta water, toss gently to combine while
heating on high heat until thickened (approximately 30-60 seconds). Serve immediately
topped with freshly grated parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy!

Notes
 Pasta usually doubles in size when cooked, so for the recipe you will need approximately 1 1/2 to
2 cups of dried pasta to make 3 cups cooked. One cup of uncooked pasta is equal to
approximately 70 grams (I measured with mezze rigatoni).Cream sauces I was taught in Italy
should always be served with a short pasta, such as Penne, Mezze Maniche, Fusilli, Rigatoni,
Tortiglioni, or Sedani and if you ask the Italian he will tell you to make sure you get Rigati Pasta
(pasta with ridges), it will hold the sauce better!

Any leftovers should be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated. It will keep for 2-3 days in
the fridge. Heat the leftovers, on the stove or microwave.

Nutrition
Calories: 498kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol:
50mg | Sodium: 442mg | Potassium: 691mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1845IU | Vitamin C:
15.2mg | Calcium: 72mg | Iron: 6.2mg

Creamy Asparagus Sausage Pasta https://anitalianinmykitchen.com/penne-with-sausage-and-asparagus-cream-sauce/