I made this last night.
Everybody finished their plates
and said it was very yummy.
I took a recipe I found online and changed it up a bit.
I will post the original recipe and then my additions in BLUE
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced I used 6
- 2 14-ounce cans whole peeled tomatoes including liquid I used 6 fresh tomatoes cut in quarters and about half a cup of chicken stock
- 1 pound smoked turkey sausage, cut into 1/2-inch slices*
- Pinch red pepper flakes I used one whole red chili pepper seeded and diced
- 3/4 pound rotini pasta (corkscrew pasta) I used a whole box of whole wheat rotini
- Salt
- 3 ounces smoked Mozzarella cheese, cut into 1/4-inch cubes I used regular mozzarella and ADDED a few drops of liquid smoke about 1/2 tsp
- 1 cup peas
- 2 cups spinach
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- *If you put the turkey sausage in the freezer first for a half hour, it will be easier to slice.
1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet on medium heat. Add the onions and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and minced red pepper and cook a minute more.
2. Add the tomatoes to the pan, Include the juices. Add the sausage and red pepper flakes. and the few drops of liquid smoke. (probably I used about 1/2 tsp)
Cover and cook on medium high for 20 minutes, until the sauce is thickened.
3. While the sauce is cooking, cook the pasta. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add a teaspoon and a half of salt for every quart of water. Cook the pasta according to pasta package instructions, until al dente, or cooked through, but still a bit firm. Add peas the last 2 minutes to the water. Drain the water from the pasta and the peas. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water to add to dish to make it more saucy.
Combine the pasta and the sauce in a large serving bowl.
4. Add spinach and toss with pasta to wilt. Add pasta water as needed to moisten.
5. Stir in the cubed smoked regular mozzarella cheese. Continue to stir until the cheese has softened and is a bit melty. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
