Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large sweet onion , diced
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 1/4 lbs Italian turkey sausage links , casings removed
2 cans diced tomatoes , in juice with Italian spices
2 cans low sodium chicken broth
2 cans cannellini , drained and rinsed ( white kidney beans )
1 1/2 cups chopped fresh basil , divided
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon dry crushed red pepper
1 1 cup orecchiette or 1 1/2 cups fresh gemelli pasta
1 bag baby spinach leaves
1/3 cup grated pecorino romano cheese or 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
additional grated pecorino romano cheese
Pasta Sausage & Bean Ragout, commonly known as Pasta Fazool or Pasta E Fagioli, is a mouth-watering hearty dish that originated from Italy. This popular dish is made with cannellini beans, sweet onions, and Italian turkey sausage in a tangy tomato broth, infused with bay leaves, basil, and oregano which gives it a unique and delicious taste. The dish gets its name from the Italian phrase 'pasta e fagioli,' which means pasta and beans. It is served hot with garnishes of pecorino romano cheese, fresh basil, and additional grated cheese.

Instructions

1.In a large Dutch oven or pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
2.Add the onion and garlic powder, cook for 5 minutes, or until the onion is soft and translucent.
3.Add the turkey sausage and cook for an additional 10 minutes, or until it is browned and cooked through, breaking it into small pieces with a wooden spoon.
4.Add the canned tomatoes, chicken broth, cannellini beans, 1 cup of fresh basil, oregano, and crushed red pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low, and let it simmer for 30 minutes.
5.Cook the pasta according to package instructions in a separate pot.
6.Add the spinach to the ragout and cook until the spinach is wilted.
7.Serve the pasta in bowls, ladle the ragout over the pasta, and sprinkle with pecorino romano cheese, fresh basil, and additional grated cheese.

PROS

This dish is bursting with flavor and is a hearty and satisfying meal.

It is rich in nutrients, and the use of turkey sausage and low sodium broth reduces its overall sodium content.

CONS

This dish is high in calories and carbohydrates, which can be a concern for some people with dietary restrictions.

It may also not be suitable for vegetarians or vegans.

HEALTH & BENEFITS

The use of whole grains enriched with vitamins and minerals in the pasta provides a source of fiber which helps in maintaining good digestive health.
The use of lean protein in the form of turkey sausage gives this dish additional protein which helps to repair and build tissue and cells.

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