Rigatoni with Spicy Chicken Sausage, Asparagus, Eggplant, and Roasted Peppers

  4.9 – 11 reviews  • Poultry
Level: Easy
Total: 40 min
Active: 40 min
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

  1. 2 red bell peppers
  2. 1 bunch asparagus, woody ends trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
  3. 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  4. 1 pound spicy Italian chicken sausage, casings removed
  5. 8 ounces dried rigatoni
  6. 1 baby eggplant (about 6 ounces) stemmed and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
  7. Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  8. Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  9. 3 garlic cloves, chopped
  10. 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
  11. 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  12. 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Instructions

  1. Position a rack in the oven 6 inches below the broiler and preheat the broiler.
  2. Put the peppers on a baking sheet and put it under the broiler. Roast, turning the peppers with tongs a quarter turn every couple of minutes, until charred on all sides, 8 to 10 minutes total. Transfer the peppers to a bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and let the peppers steam for 10 minutes to loosen the skins.
  3. Using a paper towel, rub the charred skins off the peppers. Carefully remove the cores, stems, and seeds, and slice the pieces lengthwise into thin strips. Reserve any liquid the peppers release.
  4. Bring a medium pot of water to a boil and salt it generously. Add the asparagus and cook for 1 minute; drain and rinse under cold water. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
  5. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer the sausage to a plate with a slotted spoon.
  6. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt it generously. Cook the pasta until al dente according to the package instructions. Drain and return the pasta to the warm pot.
  7. Add 3 tablespoons olive oil to the skillet, add the eggplant, season with salt and pepper, and cook until brown and just tender, 5 to 6 minutes.
  8. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and the garlic to the skillet and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the roasted peppers with any reserved liquid, asparagus, sausage, and vinegar and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes more.
  9. Transfer the sausage mixture to the warm rigatoni and add the Parmesan, parsley, and remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil and stir to combine.
  10. Taste the pasta and season with salt and pepper, if needed. Transfer to a large bowl and serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 1 of 4 servings
Calories 788
Total Fat 49 g
Saturated Fat 10 g
Carbohydrates 56 g
Dietary Fiber 6 g
Sugar 7 g
Protein 31 g
Cholesterol 115 mg
Sodium 997 mg

Reviews

Lisa Williams
This is delicious just as written. Don’t change a thing, and yes, it’s worth roasting your own peppers. You can definitely do some vegetable prep to save time.
Elizabeth Wong
Perfect dinner. If you want to impress guests with an Italian pasta, then this is it. I love everything about this recipe. It is packed with flavor. I wouldn’t change a thing. This is one of my favorites! Thank you Brian!
Mark Murillo
So delicious! I will be making this again.
Samuel Johnson
I’m making this tonight for the 2nd time. It has so much flavor and last time I added a little chicken stock and double the amount of vinegar which only enhanced the flavors. Evan my picky boyfriend loved this recipe.
Evelyn Scott
Great flavor. Loved all the veggies. Seemed like a lot of sausage for the amount of pasta and was a little dry. Maybe save some of the pasta water to add at the end. Family enjoyed though, but not sure I will make again.
Heather Crawford
Great combination. Tastes even better the second day. However, when I remake it, I will probably use a smaller pasta and just slice the sausage rather than take it out of the casings.
Vanessa Cox
wow The best
Christopher Wong
Wow! This recipe was tasty! I used some homemade sausage that I had on hand and campanelle pasta. Definitely will be making this again 🙂
Shane Brown
awesome!
Joseph Shelton
Absolutely delicious!

 

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