Caramelized Fennel Pasta with Sausage
Author: 
Recipe type: Main Dish
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 4
 
Ingredients
  • 8 ounces rigatoni
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 4 Italian sausages
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 2 medium sized fennel bulbs, trimmed, cored, and thinly sliced
  • ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 1 medium shallot, minced
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
  • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • ½ teaspoon fresh thyme
  • Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add rigatoni and cook until al dente. Drain, reserving about ½-3/4 cup cooking liquid. Set aside.
  2. Meanwhile, in a heavy bottomed saucepan, heat olive oil over medium high heat. Add sausage and cook until outside browns and inside is done, about 6-10 minutes. Transfer to cutting board. Once slightly cooled, slice into ½-1 inch pieces on the diagonal.
  3. Turn heat down a bit and add butter. Once butter has melted, stir in fennel and salt. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring frequently, until the fennel starts to brown. Add in shallot and garlic and cook for 1 minute. Next, stir in lemon juice and white wine vinegar, reduce heat to low, and simmer for about 1-2 minutes.
  4. Turn up the heat to medium high and add sliced sausage back into saucepan. Add in pasta, a ¼ cup of reserved pasta water, Parmesan cheese, and thyme. Stir well to make sure everything is nicely coated. If pasta looks too dry, add an additional ¼ cup pasta water and continue to stir and cook. Adjust salt to taste and top with freshly ground black pepper before serving.
Recipe by Things I Made Today at https://www.thingsimadetoday.com/2017/09/06/caramelized-fennel-pasta-sausage/