Orecchiette with Lamb and Asparagus

  • Level: Easy
  • Yield: 6 to 8 servings
  • Total: 30 min
  • Active: 30 min
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Ingredients

Kosher salt

1 pound orecchiette pasta 

1/4 cup olive oil

2 cloves garlic, smashed and peeled 

1 pound lamb sausage or sweet Italian sausage, casing removed 

1 cup frozen peas, thawed 

1 bunch asparagus, cut into 1/2-inch pieces 

One 14-ounce can cherry tomatoes, drained 

2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese 

1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme 

Directions

  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Season well with salt. Cook the pasta for 2 minutes less than listed on the box, about 8 minutes. Drain well, reserving 1 cup pasta water.
  2. Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil and the garlic and sweat until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the sausage and cook, breaking it apart with the back of a spoon, until cooked through and beginning to brown, about 8 minutes. Add the peas, asparagus and tomatoes and toss well to coat. Season with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Add 1/2 cup pasta water and simmer for 3 minutes. Add the pasta to the sauce and sprinkle 1 1/2 cups Parmesan on the bare pasta. Toss it with the sauce, adding the remaining 1/2 cup pasta water as needed to create a light tomato sauce. Stir in the thyme. Drizzle with the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese.

Let's Get Cooking!

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Michelle Napper

I substituted the lamb with ground beef because it's what I had in stock. It was a hit! Loved the asparagus and peas for healthiness, color, flavor, and texture!

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