Orecchiette with Italian Sausage, Caramelized Apples and Onions

Satisfy your taste buds with this mouthwatering dish of Orecchiette with Italian Sausage, Caramelized Apples, and Onions—a perfect blend of savory and sweet flavors!

Orecchiette with Italian Sausage, Caramelized Apples and Onions

Ingredients

• 2 medium onions, diced

• 2 apples, cored, seeded, and diced

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 bunch fresh parsley, chopped

• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 2 Tablespoons olive oil

• 1-pound mild Italian sausage

• 4 Tablespoons butter

• 1 teaspoon dried thyme

• 1 teaspoon dried basil

• 1 teaspoon Chef Politte’s Mediterranean Seasoning Blend

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

• 1 cup dry white wine

• 1 pound of orecchiette pasta

Method

1. Cook the orecchiette according to package directions, drain, reserving 1 cup of the pasta water

2. Add 2 Tablespoons of olive oil to a large skillet and cook the Italian sausage, breaking up the meat with a spoon.  Remove the cooked sausage to another dish with a slotted spoon, leaving the fat in the skillet

3. Melt the butter in the skillet. Add the onions, apples, thyme, basil, Mediterranean seasonings, and salt and pepper on medium heat. Cook, stirring often, until the onions are caramelized and the apples are soft.

4. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, stirring for about 1 minute.

5. Add the wine and deglaze the pan until the wine is evaporated

6. Turn the heat to medium-low and add the drained pasta and ¼ cup of the pasta water and cook until the pasta absorbs the water.  The pasta should look silky and smooth, and not dry.  If it seems dry, add a bit more pasta water until it has a sauce-like consistency.

7. Turn off the heat and add the drained sausage, half the Parmesan, and half the chopped parsley, stir well

8. Plate the pasta and garnish with the remaining Parmesan and chopped parsley