Pasta with Turkey Sausage

It is my boyfriend’s birthday so I decided to make a recipe that he has been begging me to make for over a month.  It is the cover recipe from Food Network Magazine, Pasta with Turkey Meatballs.  The only reason I have not already made it is because I can’t seem to find uncooked turkey sausages anywhere in town, all of them are already cooked so you can’t turn them into meatballs.  So instead I just sliced the Italian turkey sausages and cooked them for a few minutes before adding the garlic and red pepper flakes.  This turned out to be a hit.  My boyfriend loved the flavors of the dish (I like them too), and I loved how quickly this dinner came together (only about 20 minutes).  I was going to serve with a salad but totally forgot to put in together until I was half way through my bowl of pasta. 

Pasta with Turkey Sausage

Ingredients:

12 ounces orecchiette pasta
2 bunches broccolini, cut into bite-size pieces

1 package Italian turkey sausage, sliced
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
Pinch of red pepper flakes
1 large egg
Freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

Instructions:  

1.  Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs, adding the broccolini during the last 2 minutes of cooking. Reserve 1 cup cooking water, then drain the pasta and broccolini.  Whisk the egg with the reserved cooking water in a small bowl.

2.  Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausages and cook, turning occasionally, until browned, about 5 to 6 minutes.

3.  Add the remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil, the garlic, red pepper flakes and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring, 1 minute. Add the pasta, broccolini.  Add tempered egg to the skillet and stir until the sauce thickens slightly. Season with salt and pepper.

4.  Divide the pasta among bowls. Sprinkle with the cheese and drizzle with olive oil.