Fennel-scented, crumbled Italian sausage not only pairs well with bitter broccoli rabe, but also with Swiss chard, broccolini, escarole and even baby spinach. For this weeknight pasta idea I tossed spaghetti with a saute of garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, cherry tomatoes, chard and some creamy and salty cheeses: Pecorino Romano for a bite, and creamy pearls of fresh mozzarella for decadence and presentation. A healthy bowl of pasta yes, but also a colorful and quick bowl of pasta as well.
(To view this recipe, click on the blue title of the blog post above*)
Spaghetti with Swiss Chard, Tomatoes & Italian Sausage
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. spaghetti, cooked according to package directions–to al dente, drained
- 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
- 1 lb. chicken Italian sausage
- crushed red pepper flakes
- 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 1 head of Swiss chard, ends trimmed–stalks and leaves cut into bite-sized pieces
- salt and pepper
- 1/4 cup dry white wine
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved (preferably San Marzano)
- Pecorino Romano, for grating
- fresh mozzarella cheese, or mozzarella pearls
Directions:
- In a Dutch oven or large, straight-sided saute pan, heat 1 Tablespoon of the olive oil. Cook the Italian sausage over medium heat, breaking up with a spoon while cooking, until cooked through and browned. Drain and set aside.
- Add the remaining oil into the pan, along with the crushed red pepper flakes and sliced garlic. Cook for 30 seconds over medium heat; add in the cut chard and stems; season with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and a big grinding of black pepper. Saute over medium-high heat for 10-12 minutes, or until the greens are wilted. Add in the white wine, reduce the heat to low, and and cook an additional 5-7 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed by half. Add the cooekd sausage back into the pot.
- Toss the pasta with the sausage-chard mixture, grate some Pecorino into the pasta and toss as well. Toss in the mozzarella pearls, drizzle with more olive oil as needed. Serve warm.
Tagged: anchovy, chard, chard and sausage, cherry tomatos, chicken sausage, fresh mozzarella cheese, garlic, Italian, Italian sausage, Italy, mozzarella pearls, olive oil, pasta, Pecorino Romano, spaghetti, Swiss chard, tomatoes, white wine
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