Simple Smoked Beef Sausage Dinner

Simple Smoked Beef Sausage Dinner Recipe from Italy

Region / culture: Italy | Preparation time: 10 minutes | Cooking time: 20 minutes | Servings: 4

Introduction

This Simple Smoked Beef Sausage Dinner is a delicious and easy-to-make meal that is perfect for a busy weeknight. The combination of smoked sausage, pasta, white beans, and Alfredo sauce creates a hearty and satisfying dish that the whole family will love.

History

This recipe is a modern twist on a classic Italian pasta dish. The addition of smoked beef sausage adds a rich and savory flavor to the dish, while the white beans provide a creamy texture and added protein. The Alfredo sauce ties everything together with its creamy and indulgent taste.

Ingredients

1 lb (454 g) smoked beef sausage, cut crosswise into 0.5 inch thick slices
8 oz (227 g) uncooked orecchiette or medium shell pasta
1 jar (16 to 17 oz (482 g)) alfredo sauce
1 can (15.5 to 19 oz (539 g)) Great Northern or other white beans, rinsed, drained
0.25 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
pepper
0.25 cup toasted pine nuts
Fresh basil sprigs (optional)

How to prepare

Cook the pasta according to the package directions and drain.
Meanwhile, place the beef sausage in a large skillet and add enough water to cover the bottom of the skillet.
Cook the sausage, uncovered, over medium heat for about 7 minutes or until it browns slightly, stirring occasionally.
Pour off the drippings and remove and reserve 5 or 6 sausage slices.
Add the Alfredo sauce, beans, and chopped basil to the skillet and bring to a boil.
Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 5 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Combine the cooked pasta and sausage mixture in a serving dish, tossing lightly.
Sprinkle with pepper, as desired, and pine nuts.
Top with the reserved sausage slices and garnish with basil sprigs, if desired.

Variations

Substitute the smoked beef sausage with chicken or turkey sausage for a lighter option.
Use a different type of pasta, such as penne or spaghetti, for a different texture.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Be sure to brown the sausage slices before adding the Alfredo sauce to enhance the flavor of the dish.

- Toasting the pine nuts before adding them to the dish will bring out their nutty flavor and add a nice crunch.

- Feel free to customize this recipe by adding your favorite vegetables, such as spinach or roasted red peppers.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this dish with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.

Cooking Techniques

Be sure to cook the sausage until it is slightly browned to enhance its flavor.

- Simmering the Alfredo sauce with the beans and basil allows the flavors to meld together.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you don't have pine nuts, you can substitute them with chopped almonds or walnuts.

- Feel free to use any type of white beans in place of Great Northern beans.

Make Ahead Tips

This dish can be made ahead of time and reheated before serving. Simply store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Presentation Ideas

Garnish the dish with fresh basil sprigs for a pop of color and freshness.

Pairing Recommendations

This Simple Smoked Beef Sausage Dinner pairs well with a glass of red wine, such as a Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until heated through.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Each serving of this dish contains approximately 500 calories.

Carbohydrates

This dish contains approximately 45 grams of carbohydrates per serving.

Fats

Each serving of this Simple Smoked Beef Sausage Dinner contains around 25 grams of fat.

Proteins

With the smoked sausage and white beans, this dish provides about 20 grams of protein per serving.

Vitamins and minerals

This recipe is a good source of vitamin C, iron, and calcium.

Alergens

This recipe contains dairy (Alfredo sauce) and nuts (pine nuts).

Summary

This Simple Smoked Beef Sausage Dinner is a balanced meal that provides a good mix of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and essential vitamins and minerals.

Summary

This Simple Smoked Beef Sausage Dinner is a flavorful and satisfying meal that is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight dinner. With its combination of smoked sausage, pasta, white beans, and Alfredo sauce, this dish is sure to become a family favorite.

How did I get this recipe?

The first time I saw this recipe, I was filled with excitement. It was a simple smoked beef sausage dinner that looked absolutely delicious. I knew immediately that I had to learn how to make it.

I first came across this recipe when I was visiting my dear friend Margaret. Margaret was a wonderful cook and always had the most amazing recipes up her sleeve. She had learned this particular recipe from her grandmother who had passed it down through the generations.

As soon as I tasted the dish, I knew I had to learn how to make it myself. Margaret was more than happy to show me the ropes and teach me all of her secrets. We spent an entire afternoon in her cozy kitchen, chopping vegetables, seasoning the meat, and letting the flavors meld together in a pot on the stove.

Margaret taught me that the key to a great smoked beef sausage dinner is to use high-quality ingredients. She always used the best cuts of beef and the freshest vegetables she could find. She also stressed the importance of patience when it came to cooking the dish. The longer you let it simmer, the more the flavors will develop and the more delicious it will taste.

After that day with Margaret, I couldn't wait to make the dish for my own family. I gathered all of the ingredients and set to work in my own kitchen. As the aroma of the smoked beef sausage filled the air, I knew I had done something right. When my family sat down to eat, they couldn't get enough of it. They raved about how delicious it was and asked for seconds and even thirds.

From that moment on, the simple smoked beef sausage dinner became a staple in our household. I made it for special occasions, for family dinners, and even just for a cozy night in. It never failed to impress and always brought a smile to my loved ones' faces.

Over the years, I continued to perfect the recipe, tweaking it here and there to make it my own. I added a little extra spice, a touch more garlic, and sometimes even a splash of red wine for richness. Each time I made it, it brought back memories of that day in Margaret's kitchen, learning from a dear friend who had passed down her culinary wisdom to me.

I shared the recipe with friends and family, who all loved it just as much as we did. It became a dish that brought us all together, filling our homes with warmth and comfort. It was a reminder of the power of good food to create memories and bring people closer.

As the years went by, I continued to make the simple smoked beef sausage dinner, always thinking of Margaret and the day she taught me how to make it. It became a dish that I would always cherish, a recipe that held a special place in my heart.

And so, whenever I make the dish now, I am reminded of those moments spent in Margaret's kitchen, learning from a dear friend and creating something truly special. The simple smoked beef sausage dinner will always hold a special place in my heart, a reminder of the joy that good food can bring to our lives.