Orecchiette with Sausage, Cremini Mushrooms, and Peas

This made a fantastic Sunday meal, yet another from Giada DeLaurentiis (what can I say, the chick has great pasta recipes). I love any dish with lots of peas, this one also adding spicy sausage and earthy mushrooms, all stirred together with salty Parmesan cheese. Mmm.


It makes for a good summer recipe - good hot or cooled down a bit, comes together quickly, and no heavy sauce drowning all the ingredients.

Orecchiette with Sausage, Cremini Mushrooms, and Peas

(adapted from Giada DeLaurentiis' Everyday Italian, 2005)

Ingredients:
1/3 to 1/2 c. extra virgin olive oil

1 lb. ground Italian sausage, removed from casing

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

10 oz. cremini mushrooms, sliced

1 (10 oz.) package frozen peas, defrosted slightly

1 lb. (or so) dried orecchiette pasta

1/2 c. freshly grated Parmesan cheese

In a large pot, bring 6 quarts of salted water to a boil.

In a large saute pan over high heat, add 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add sausage and sauté, breaking any large lumps, until golden brown (8-10 minutes). Remove meat from pan and set aside.

Add about 2 more Tbsp. olive oil to pan and heat. Add mushrooms and season with salt and pepper. Saute until all the liquid from the mushrooms has evaporated, about 5-8 minutes. Add the peas and saute for another 2-3 minutes. Return the meat to the pan and cook until the flavors begin to meld (about 2 minutes). Remove from heat and set aside.

When the pot of water has come to a boil, add pasta and cook until al dente, about 9 minutes. Drain in a colander, reserving about 1/2 c. of the pasta water.

Return pasta to the pot and add the meat mixture. Combine thoroughly and gently cook over medium heat for 5 minutes, adding pasta water as needed to moisten. Drizzle in remaining olive oil into mixture. It is important to keep the mixture moistened (do not let it dry out); use more pasta water or olive oil as needed.

Check the seasoning. Turn off the heat and add the grated cheese. Stir well and serve in large bowl.