Sausage Asparagus Pasta

Pasta with sausage and asparagus is an easy dinner with wide appeal: It has familiar pasta, tasty sausage and fresh asparagus. Using sausage instead of plain ground meat is a simple way to add big flavor, and this meal goes heavy on the veg and meat and a little lighter on the pasta.

This is a complete dinner on its own, making you a weeknight dinner hero. But if you do have extra time, serve with garlic bread, or make these elegant (but surprisingly quick) chocolate lava cakes.

Ingredients for Sausage Asparagus Pasta

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• Pasta: We love whole wheat bow ties, but any short pasta shape will work. (If you need inspiration, check out our complete guide to pasta shapes).
• Asparagus: The vegetable in this recipe is a pound of fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-1/2-inch pieces.
• Sausage: Use your favorite Italian turkey sausage.
• Onion and garlic: This familiar duo adds big allium flavor.
• Parmesan cheese (optional): Mix this cheese into the pasta at the end of cooking, and add a sprinkle to each serving.

Directions

Step 1: Cook the pasta and asparagus (in one pot!)

Melissa Patterson for Taste Recipes

In a large stockpot, cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Add the asparagus during the last two to three minutes of cooking.

Step 2: Reserve a little pasta water

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Drain the pasta well, saving 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water.

Step 3: Brown the sausage and soften the onion

Melissa Patterson for Taste Recipes

While cooking the pasta and asparagus, brown the sausage and saute the onion and garlic in a large skillet. Cook until the meat is no longer pink and the onion is soft, six to eight minutes. Stir everything together, adding 1/4 cup of the cheese and the reserved pasta water. Serve with additional sprinkle of cheese.

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Sausage Asparagus Pasta Variations

• Use another veggie: If asparagus is out of season, broccoli florets are a great alternative.
• Add a little spice: If you crave just a little heat, try using spicy Italian sausage and adding a pinch of red pepper flakes when sauteing the onion.
• Swap out the pasta: Consider cooking up another whole grain such as quinoa or farro and mix with the sausage and asparagus. You won’t have pasta cooking water, but you can use chicken or vegetable broth to add moisture.

How to Store Sausage Asparagus Pasta

Store any leftover sausage asparagus pasta covered in the refrigerator for three to four days.

How do you reheat sausage asparagus pasta?

Gently reheat pasta in a covered dish in the microwave or in a saucepan. Add a little broth to moisten and loosen the dish.

Sausage Asparagus Pasta Tips

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Why am I saving pasta water and adding it back into my recipe?

Pasta cooking water is full of starch, which can add a little flavor and some body to whatever you’re making, especially if it’s one that doesn’t have any sauce. When draining your pasta, save about 1/2 cup. When everything is combined, stir in the pasta water (1/4 cup at a time). It will emulsify with the fat in your recipe and add some moisture and a slight creaminess to the dish.

How do I make great pasta?

Making pasta is a simple operation without many variables to change. Salting your water, with a generous hand, is the first tip for great-tasting pasta. The second is to watch your cooking time. For a recipe such as this, drain the pasta just a little earlier than you typically would, then add it to the rest of your ingredients along with the reserved pasta water. Toss everything together over medium-low heat to warm, and let the pasta get its last few seconds of cooking here, where it will absorb extra flavor.

What if I don’t have sausage?

You can start with ground turkey and add generous Italian-style seasonings while cooking to mimic the flavor of the sausage. Make sure you’re using a turkey (or pork) with some fat, such as 85% lean. While cooking, add 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon dried parsley, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning blend, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon paprika and 1/8 teaspoon ground fennel and mix well.