mom | Johnny La Pasta

Growing up, my mom made my family quite a bit of pasta for dinner, being herself a 2nd generation Italian-American; and it was glorious. I remember being in high school, coming home starving from various practices and rehearsals, only to be fulfilled by a bowl of one of my mother’s pasta dishes. This particular dish, which I have deemed Pasta di Janet (Pasta of Janet- my mother), became a staple in our home because of its general healthy ingredient contents and for its ease and simplicity.

This quick and flavorful pasta combines hot (Chicken) Italian Sausage, sweet and juicy cherry tomatoes, green and earthy broccoli/broccolini, fresh herbs, and of course, parmesan cheese. I fell in love with this pasta and often requested it for the dinner table. I now make it quite often when I am looking for a go-to meal. Already a decently healthy meal, I have made my own tweaks to my mother’s classic pasta (like switching from regular Italian sausage to chicken Italian sausage) to create a dish that is equally as nourishing as it is indulgent. Serve with a nice green salad and red wine and you are in for an Italian delight!

Pasta di Janet

Servings: 4-6
Time: 35 minutes
Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients:

1 pound farfalle pasta
1 pound hot Chicken Italian sausage, removed from casings
2 small heads broccoli or 1 large package Italian broccolini
2 pints cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1 pinch red pepper flakes
¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
¼ fresh Italian flat leaf parsley, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh basil, julienned
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Salt & Pepper

Directions:

Bring large pot of salted water to a boil. Heat a large pan or skillet or medium-high heat for 2 minutes. Add the sausage and break into small chunks with the back of a wooden spoon. Once the sausage is broken up, add the pasta to the water and allow to cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente.

Cook sausage until browned, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium and add the tomatoes and garlic to the sausage. Cook 2-3 minutes until tomatoes soften. Meanwhile, add the broccoli or broccolini to the pasta water. Boil 2 minutes. Using a straining spoon, transfer the broccoli to the pan with the sausage and tomatoes. Stir to combine and season the mix with a pinch of salt and pepper each and red pepper flakes. Reduce heat to low and allow to continue cooking until pasta is done.

Drain the pasta, add to the pan on top of the veggies and sausage. Add the cheese and half the parsley. Toss till pasta is coated and all is well mixed. Serve into pasta bowls. Top with additional parmesan cheese and herbs and serve.

: Add the sausage and break into small chunks with the back of a wooden spoon.

: Reduce heat to medium and add the tomatoes and garlic to the sausage.

: Add the broccoli or broccolini to the pasta water. Boil 2 minutes.

: Using a straining spoon, transfer the broccoli to the pan with the sausage and tomatoes.

: Using a straining spoon, transfer the broccoli to the pan with the sausage and tomatoes.

: Drain the pasta, add to the pan on top of the veggies and sausage. Add the cheese and half the parsley. Toss till pasta is coated and all is well mixed.