Summer Heirloom Tomato Pasta with Italian Sausage
This light and lovely pasta makes the best of summer heirlooms; we also recommend adding a dollop of creamy chevre to each serving!
Ingredients:
1 pound semolina pasta of your choice
1 pound Italian sausage
1 pound mixed cherry and heirloom tomatoes, cut in half for the cherry tomatoes, and then in bite-sized chunks for the larger heirlooms
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
2 tablespoons finely-chopped shallot
1 garlic clove, minced
Pinch red pepper flakes
¼ cup julienned basil leaves
Chevre cheese, for garnish
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. In a large bowl, toss together the tomatoes, 2 tablespoons olive oil, red pepper flakes, shallot and garlic. Season to taste with salt and pepper to taste, and allow to sit while preparing the rest of the dish so that the flavors meld.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta to the water, stir gently and cook until al dente, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain.
3. In a large skillet, cook the Italian sausage over medium-high heat, crumbling into bite-sized pieces, until cooked through and no longer pink. Add the tomato mixture and the drained pasta to the skillet and toss thoroughly to combine. Stir in the basil and season with additional salt if needed. Transfer to individual serving bowls and add a generous dollop of chevre cheese to each and drizzle again with olive oil before serving.
Fresh Pasta with Italian Sausage, Burst Tomatoes & Crème Fraîche
This simple pasta celebrates the best flavors of summer with juicy tomatoes, savory Italian sausage, fragrant basil, and a silky crème fraîche sauce that comes together in minutes.Â
Ingredients:
1 pound Lagana Foods fresh pasta
1 package Skagit River Ranch Italian sausage, casings removed
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups tomatoes, halved or chopped
2 green onions, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup Bella Luna Crème Fraîche
¼ cup Farm & Larder chicken stock
¼ cup fresh basil leaves, torn
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Freshly grated Parmesan (optional)
Method:
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the fresh pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining.
2. Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook, breaking it into bite-sized pieces, until browned and cooked through, about 6–8 minutes.
3. Stir in the green onions and garlic; cook for 1 minute. Add the tomatoes and cook just until they begin to soften and release their juices, about 3–4 minutes.
4. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the chicken stock and crème fraîche until smooth. Add a splash of the reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce. Toss in the cooked pasta and basil, stirring gently until everything is coated. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately with freshly grated Parmesan and plenty of toasted fig and walnut sourdough on the side.
Rigatoni with Italian Sausage, Sautéed Kale and Porcini Salt
Also tossed with garlic, onions and a topping of Asiago Pressa cheese, this pasta is incredibly satisfying.
Ingredients:
1 pound rigatoni pasta, or other pasta of your choice
1 pound sweet Italian sausage
6 cups baby kale, stripped of larger stems and torn into large pieces
1 sweet onion, peeled and diced
3-4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
2 tablespoons butter, divided
¼ cup Asiago Pressa cheese, grated
½ teaspoon Porcini salt
Method:
1. Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil, then add the pasta. Cook until the pasta is al dente, about 7-8 minutes. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain pasta.
2. Meanwhile, cook the sausage in a skillet over medium heat until done, breaking into bite-sized chunks with a spoon. Remove the sausage to a plate and reserve. Wipe any excess sausage grease from the pan and then heat 1 tablespoon each of olive oil and butter in the skillet. Once warm, add the onions and garlic, tossing to coat with oil and butter. Season with salt and pepper, then cover and sweat until onions are tender and translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add in kale and cook until just slightly wilted, about another minute or so.
3. Add drained pasta and sausage to the skillet with the kale mixture, then toss everything together with the rest of the olive oil and butter. If pasta seems a little dry, mix in reserved pasta water. Check for seasoning and add a healthy pinch of Porcini salt and the Asiago Pressa cheese. Serve with additional Asiago Pressa-style cheese to sprinkle over pasta as desired.
Pasta with Italian Sausage, Sauteed Kale and Mushrooms
Also tossed with sweet onions and a topping of Grana-style cheese, this pasta is incredibly satisfying.
Ingredients:
1 pound strozzapreti pasta, or other pasta of your choice
1 pound sweet Italian sausage
1 bunch Lacinato kale, stripped of tough ribs and torn into large pieces
2 cups Portobello mushrooms, washed and thinly sliced
1 sweet onion, peeled and diced
3-4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
2 tablespoons butter, divided
¼ cup Grana-style cheese, grated
Method:
1. Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil, then add the pasta. Cook until the strozzapreti is al dente, about 7-8 minutes. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain pasta.
2. Meanwhile, cook the sausage in a skillet over medium heat until done, breaking into bite-sized chunks with a spoon. Remove the sausage to a plate and reserve. Wipe any excess sausage grease from the pan and then heat 1 tablespoon each of olive oil and butter in the skillet. Once warm, add the onions, mushroom and garlic, tossing to coat with oil and butter. Season with salt and pepper, then cover and sweat until mushrooms are tender and garlic is fragrant, about 4-5 minutes. Add in kale and cook until just slightly wilted, about another minute or so.
3. Add drained pasta and sausage to the skillet with the vegetables, then toss everything together with the rest of the olive oil and butter. If pasta seems a little dry, mix in reserved pasta water. Check for seasoning and add more salt and pepper if needed. Serve with Grana-style cheese to sprinkle over pasta.
Polenta with Chicken Italian Sausage & Sautéed Summer Vegetables
This creamy dish is bright with Italian flavors, courtesy of pungent mixed peppers and summer squash.
Ingredients:
Polenta
4 cups chicken stock
¼ cup water
4 links chicken Italian sausage
2 red Bell peppers, seeded and thinly sliced
1-2 Piment d’Espellete peppers, seeded and thinly sliced*
2 mixed summer squash, washed and thinly sliced
1 Walla Walla sweet onion, peeled and thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
Grated Grana-style cheese
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
*Depending on your heat preference, feel free to tweak the quantity of these smoky, slightly-spicy peppers to your liking.
Method:
1. Bring chicken stock and ¼ cup water to a simmer in a 3- to 4-quart heavy saucepan. Add polenta mix in a slow stream, whisking until incorporated. Simmer, stirring frequently with a long-handled whisk or wooden spoon, until liquid is absorbed and polenta is thick and soft, about 15-20 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, in a skillet, cook sausages in a half inch of water until done and remove to a plate and keep warm. Discard cooking water. In the same skillet, add both varieties of peppers, summer squash, garlic and onions along with a drizzle of olive oil and turn heat up to high. Sauté vegetables, turning just occasionally until all just begin to blister and char. Add sausage, turning down heat, and continue cooking until the sausages are browned. Slice sausages diagonally in large slices to serve.
3. Remove polenta from heat and stir in Grana cheese, and salt and pepper to taste. Top with sausage and pepper mixture. Serve immediately.
Italian Sausage & Winter Squash Pasta Bake
Hearty, cozy, and perfect for gathering around the table. This one makes excellent leftovers.
Ingredients:
1 pound Lagana Foods pasta
1 pound Skagit River Ranch Italian sausage
2 cups winter squash, peeled and cut into small cubes
2–3 cups Nonna Pat’s marinara sauce
1 leek, thinly sliced (white and light green parts)
Olive oil
Salt and pepper
½ cup grated Parmesan (optional)
1 cup torn Struan bread (optional, for topping)
Method:
1. Preheat oven to 400°. Toss the squash with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Roast 20–25 minutes until tender and lightly caramelized.
2. Meanwhile, sauté sausage in a large skillet until browned. Remove from casing if needed. Add sliced leek and cook until softened. Set aside.
3. Cook pasta just shy of al dente in well-salted, boiling water. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.
4. In the skillet, combine pasta, sausage mixture, roasted squash, and the marinara sauce. Add a splash of pasta water to loosen if needed.
5. Transfer to a baking dish. Top with Parmesan and torn Struan bread if using. Bake for 15–20 minutes until bubbly and golden. Let rest 5–10 minutes before serving.
Bucatini with Italian Sausage & Marinara Sauce
So simple, so satisfying: Top this week’s bucatini with our housemade sauce and cooked and crumbled Italian sausage.
Ingredients:
1 pound bucatini
1 pound Italian sausage
Nonna Pat’s Marinara Sauce
1 tablespoon butter
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Grana-style cheese
4 tablespoons micro basil
Method:
1. Cook the bucatini for 5-7 minutes in a pot of heavily salted water until al dente, or just cooked through with a bit of bite left. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the pasta water, and set aside.
2. Meanwhile, cook the Italian sausage in a large skillet over medium-high until no longer pink, breaking into bite-sized pieces with a spoon. Add in cooked pasta, 1 tablespoon butter and marinara sauce, tossing to combine thoroughly. Serve with a grated Grana-style cheese and a sprinkling of micro basil.
Campanelle with Italian Chicken Sausage & Grana Roasted Broccolini
Also tossed with lemon juice and zest, this light and lovely pasta is a snap to prepare.
Ingredients:
1 pound Lagana Foods campanelle pasta
1 pound Italian chicken sausage
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
1 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoons freshly-chopped parsley
Freshly-grated Grana cheese, for serving
Grana Cheese-Roasted Broccolini (see recipe)
Method:
1. Cook the campanelle for 5-7 minutes in a pot of heavily salted water until al dente, or just cooked through with a bit of bite left. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the pasta water, and set aside.
2. Meanwhile, cook the Italian chicken sausage in a large skillet over medium-high until no longer pink, breaking into bite-sized pieces with a spoon. Add in cooked pasta, lemon juice and zest, along with the butter, tossing to combine. Add in the roasted broccolini. Taste for seasoning and then add a little of the reserved pasta cooking water or chicken stock if pasta mixture seems dry. To serve, sprinkle with fresh parsley and additional grated Grana cheese.
Grilled Polish Sausage Board with Sauerkraut & Mustard
This Father’s Day-worthy spread brings together grilled Polish sausages, toasted sesame sourdough, tangy sauerkraut, and wholegrain mustard for an easy, crowd-pleasing meal perfect for sharing outdoors.
Ingredients:
1 package Skagit River Ranch Polish sausages
1 loaf New Day Bakery Sesame-Crusted Sourdough, sliced
1 cup Britt’s Riesling Sauerkraut
¼ cup wholegrain mustard
2-3 heirloom or beefsteak tomatoes, sliced
Radishes, thinly sliced
Fresh parsley and thyme sprigs
Olive oil
Method:
1. Preheat a grill to medium-high heat.
2. Grill the sausages, turning occasionally, until heated through and lightly charred, about 10-12 minutes.
3. Brush the sourdough slices lightly with olive oil and grill until toasted and marked, about 1-2 minutes per side.
4. Arrange the sausages, grilled bread, sauerkraut, mustard, tomatoes, and radishes on a large serving board or platter. Garnish with fresh herbs and serve family-style, allowing everyone to build their own perfect bite.
Artichoke Leaf Pasta with Heirloom Tomatoes & Basil
Using fresh tomatoes, top-notch olive oil and an authentic Grana-style cheese are key to this dish’s success.
Ingredients:
1 pound Casina Rossa Folgie di Carciofo pasta
1 pound (about 2-3) heirloom and/or Roma tomatoes, diced
¼ cup julienned basil leaves
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
1 tablespoon sherry vinegar
2 tablespoons finely-chopped shallot
1 garlic clove, minced
Pinch red pepper flakes
Shaved Grana-style cheese, for garnish
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta to the water, stir gently and cook until al dente, 7 to 8 minutes. Drain.
2. In a large bowl, toss together the tomatoes, 2 tablespoons olive oil, vinegar, red pepper flakes, shallot and garlic. Season to taste with salt and pepper to taste.
3. Place the drained pasta on top of the tomato mixture and toss to combine. Stir in the basil and season with additional salt if needed. Transfer to a large serving bowl, drizzle with additional olive oil and sprinkle with Grana-style cheese. Serve immediately.