This 30 minute meal is packed with great, earthy flavors and is comfort food at its best. Your whole family will love it and you will too.
1 c. walnut halves
1 lb. sweet or hot Italian sausage
12 oz. ziti or similar pasta
2 T. butter
1 bunch fresh sage
1/4 c. cream
freshly squeezed juice of 1 large lemon
3/4 c. grated Asiago cheese
1/3 c. freshly chopped parsley
Cook ziti in well salted boiling water according to package directions, just shy of al dente, cooking pasta 2 minutes less than what directions say, about 7-11 minutes.
While ziti is cooking, toast nuts in a cast-iron skillet or heavy skillet over medium heat until they begin to brown and you can smell them, stirring constantly, about 10 minutes. Cool slightly; roughly chop; set aside.
Remove sausage meat from casing; brown in a skillet over medium heat until there's no pink any pink; set aside.
Remove sage leaves from their stems; slice finely. There should be at least 1/3 - 1/2 cup.
Melt butter in a large skillet that will be large enough to hold the final dish, over medium-high heat; add sage; let sizzle and cook for 2 minutes, just until butter begins to brown, stirring constantly. Lower heat; add cream, stirring to combine. Add salt and pepper, sausage and walnuts to the pan.
When pasta is just tender, drain; add to the sauce, reserving a little of the cooking liquid/water.
Toss well with lemon juice, cheese and parsley; heat through. Add a little more cream or some of the reserved cooking liquid/water if desired. Add salt, pepper, or more lemon juice, to taste.
4-6 servings.