Try out our Pork Sausage & Cherry Tomato Orecchiette recipe today! This dish features rustic Italian pasta combined with savory pork sausage, creamy cannellini beans, and cherry tomatoes in a light, flavorful sauce.
Prep Time 15 Min | Cook Time 30 Min | Serves 4-6
Ingredients
- 1 lb orecchiette pasta
- 1 lb pork sausage patties, crumbled
- 15 oz cannellini beans, drained & rinsed
- 14 oz whole cherry tomatoes
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, finely diced
- 6 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 3 cups baby spinach
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/4 cup fresh basil
- 1/4 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp fine sea salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- Zest of 1 lemon
Directions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage patties, breaking them apart with a spoon as they cook. Cook for 7 to 8 minutes until browned and cooked through, then transfer to a plate and set aside.
- Add the remaining olive oil and onion to the skillet and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, until softened. Stir in the garlic and Italian seasoning and cook for an additional minute.
- Add the tomatoes, gently crushing some with the back of a spoon, and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes, until slightly thickened. Stir in the cannellini beans and cooked pasta.
- Add the spinach and cooked sausage, tossing until everything is evenly coated. Add reserved pasta water as needed to create a silky sauce.
- Remove from the heat and stir in lemon zest, basil, and Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper, then serve immediately.
- Enjoy!
Don’t feel like cooking? Mario’s is not just a meat market. We have an extensive deli and hot bar menu, and breakfast food items, as well! Choose from delicious, hand-made Italian deli specialties that are sure to delight your taste buds, making you come back again and again. Browse Mario’s Italian deli menu here!
