Sausage Leek Fennel Pasta Recipes

SAUSAGE, LEEK & FENNEL PASTA

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large frying pan. Squeeze the sausages from their skins into the pan and break up into small pieces. Cook over a medium-high heat for 8-10 mins until browned and crispy in places. Remove using a slotted spoon and set aside.
• Boil a full kettle. Add the leeks to the pan and season. Cook over a low heat for 10-12 mins until softened and just starting to caramelise. Meanwhile, fill a large pan with the boiled water and some salt, and cook the pasta following pack instructions. Drain, reserving 150ml of the cooking water.
• Add the garlic and fennel seeds to the leeks and cook for 2 mins. Stir through the mustard and sausages, then pour in 100ml of the pasta water and let it bubble for 1 min. Tip in the pasta, sprinkle over the lemon zest and toss everything together, adding a little more pasta water if needed. Divide between plates and top with Parmesan and black pepper before serving.

RIGATONI WITH SAUSAGE & FENNEL

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large heavy pot or Dutch oven, such as Le Creuset, over medium heat. Add the fennel and onion and saute for 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender. Add the sausage and cook for 7 to 8 minutes, crumbling it with a fork, until nicely browned. Add the garlic, crushed fennel seeds, red pepper flakes, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon black pepper and cook for one minute. Pour in the wine, bring to a boil, and add the heavy cream, half-and-half, and tomato paste. Bring back to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer for 20 minutes, until the sauce has thickened.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil, add 2 tablespoons salt, and cook the rigatoni according to the directions on the package. Drain and add to the sauce, stirring to coat the pasta. Cook over low heat for 5 minutes to allow the pasta to absorb the sauce. Off the heat, stir in the parsley and 1/2 cup of the Parmesan. Serve hot in shallow bowls with the remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan on the side.

SAUSAGE & FENNEL ORECCHIETTE

Steps:

• Boil a large pan of salted water, turn the heat down to medium, then add the leek, sliced fennel and broccoli, and simmer for 3 mins until tender. Lift the veg out of the water using a slotted spoon, drain and set aside. Keep the pan of water on the heat, add the orecchiette and cook for around 11 mins, or until tender but still retaining some bite.
• Meanwhile, put a large frying pan over a high heat, add the olive oil and squeeze the sausagemeat out of the skins, tearing it into small pieces in the pan using a wooden spoon. Fry for 3-4 mins until golden brown and almost cooked, then add the garlic, fennel seeds and tomato purée, and fry for 30 seconds until aromatic. Add the blanched veg and grated carrot, and cook for another 4 mins. Tip in the tomatoes, bring to the boil, then simmer for around 4 mins until reduced slightly.
• Drain the pasta, reserving a cup of pasta water, and toss the pasta in the pan with the sausage and tomato sauce, adding a splash of pasta water to loosen. Season and serve with the reserved fennel fronds scattered over the top.