Caramelized Fennel Paccheri with Sausage & Pistachios
paccheri tossed in a white wine butter sauce with italian sausage, caramelized onions & fennel, lots of garlic, wilted spinach, grated pecorino cheese, fresh herbs, and buttery pistachios over top
servings: 4
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 tbsp butter
- ½ cup chopped roasted, salted pistachios
- olive oil, as needed
- ½ lb raw, mild italian sausage
- ¾ lb paccheri
- kosher salt
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 large fennel bulb, cored + thinly sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper
- 1 cup white wine
- ¼ lb fresh spinach
- ¾ cup grated pecorino cheese, plus more for topping
- ½ cup fresh basil leaves, roughly torn
- 1 tbsp chopped parsley
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Meanwhile, heat a small skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of the butter and let it melt. Add the chopped pistachios. Toast for a minute or so until fragrant. Turn off the heat and set aside.
- Heat a large Dutch oven (or heavy-bottomed pot) over medium heat. Add enough olive oil to coat the bottom. When the oil is hot, add the sausage. Use a wooden spoon to break it into smaller pieces as it begins to brown. Cook for 5-6 minutes until browned and cooked through, stirring often.
- Transfer the sausage to a plate. Add the red onion, fennel, and a pinch of salt to the pot. Cook for 10 minutes or so until caramelized and tender. Meanwhile, drop the paccheri in the water and cook for 2 minutes less than the package’s instructions, stirring often.
- Stir the garlic and crushed red pepper into the vegetables. Cook for another 30 seconds. Pour in the white wine. Retrieve a ½ cup of starchy pasta water from the pasta pot and add it in with the wine. Let the liquid come to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened. When the pasta is done cooking, drain it and add it to the pot. Stir well to coat and continue to cook for a minute or so.
- Stir in the spinach, sausage, and remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Let heat through. Gradually stir in the pecorino cheese until it melts into the sauce. Lastly, fold in the basil and parsley.
- Taste the pasta and season with more salt if needed. Pour the pasta and all of the sauce into a large serving bowl. Garnish with the pistachios, more pecorino cheese, and any extra fresh herbs.