Pesto Pasta with Sausage and Brussels Sprouts
Hello again dear friends!
How was your weekend? Have your little ones started back to school yet?
Since I was home and on the mend from being sick along with Loretta’s surgery, I managed to rifle through our pantry to pull out some items we keep on hand and cooked a few meals. I use the term “cook” loosely…these were more or less just prepping an easy meal, not really the craft of cooking. I wanted to make this recipe for dinner as I had everything I needed except the Brussels sprouts. Well, husband bought them for me…only he purchased frozen Brussels sprouts and not fresh. I do not mind frozen vegetables in some dishes, but not all frozen vegetables are created equal. Frozen Brussels sprouts will never get crisp, ever. They will be soggy. So, I didn’t get to make this meal like I had planned. However, I thought I’d go ahead and share it anyway since I had it pulled up to use myself.
Make sure to pin this to Pinterest for later, especially for an easy school-night meal. *Hint hint - I have a whole month of dinner ideas scheduled to be shared later this month that will help with your “back to school” routine in September!
The recipe is below!
Shopping List
- 2 (nitrate free, no msg added) turkey sausage links, sliced
- 12oz bag Brussels sprouts, trimmed
- 3 tbsp EVOO, divided
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2-3 servings of gluten free pasta (penne, orecchiette, spiral)
- 5 garlic cloves, minced or diced
- 1/3 cup pesto
- grated Parmesan cheese, if desired for serving
Directions:
1) Preheat the oven to 400* F. Trim the Brussels sprouts and cut in half length wise. Mix the Brussels sprouts with the salt, pepper, and 2 tbsp of EVOO in a bowl.
2) Lay out the Brussels sprouts on a foil lined baking sheet and roast for about 20-25 minutes, or until they are crispy and cooked through.
3) Boil water for the pasta and begin sauteing the turkey sausage slices in 1 tbsp of olive oil. Cook the sausage until it browns. Allow the pasta to cook until done - per the directions on the package you used.
4) Drain the pasta and combine it with the sausage, roasted Brussels sprouts, pesto, and garlic. Allow it to heat up just enough once combined and serve!
This makes 4 servings depending upon bowl size.
You can use beef or chicken sausage if you prefer that!
You can also substitute in roasted broccoli or cauliflower instead of Brussels sprouts.
You can saute the Brussels sprouts instead of roasting them.
Pesto Pasta w/ Sausage & Brussels Sprouts
The original recipe that I adapted mine from can be found here.
What are some easy weeknight meals that you enjoy? Comment below! I’m always eager to have a new idea on hand.
XOXO
