Pasta with Sausage and Arugula Sauce

By drinkfairy

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed or chopped
• 1 pound sweet or spicy Italian-style sausage, casings removed
• 3 cups tomato-basil or marinara sauce
• 1 can fire roasted tomatoes
• 5 cups baby arugula or spinach leaves
• 1 cup mascarpone cheese (8 ounces), at room temperature
• 1 cup grated Parmesan
• 1 lb. of your favorite pasta
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Preparation

Step 1

Cook pasta according to directions while preparing the rest of the dish. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the onions, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until aromatic, about 30 seconds. Add the sausage and break up the meat into 1/2-inch pieces with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned and cooked through,10 to 15 minutes, drain any extra oil. Add the marinara sauce, fire roasted tomatoes and arugula. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook until the arugula has wilted, about 2 minutes. Add the mascarpone cheese and stir until the mixture forms a creamy sauce. Remove from the heat and stir in the Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper.
Toss pasta with sausage mixture and top with parsley.
May substitute Italian-style turkey sausage instead.