Friday Foodie - Chicken Apple Sausage with Pesto and Gemelli Pasta

As promised (to some Facebook friends), here’s the recipe for the Chicken Apple Sausage with Pesto and Gemelli Pasta. If you're not normally a fan of pesto, don’t let it scare you. It’s stirred into the dish and your palate won’t be able to pick it out, but it does add a certain deliciousness to the dish. Have a great weekend!

Chicken Apple Sausage with Pesto and Gemelli Pasta

(adapted from an Emeril recipe)

1 12-oz pkg. chicken and apple sausage (or whatever flavor you like)

½ cup pesto

1 12-oz. pkg. gemelli pasta

1 tablespoon olive oil

3 cloves garlic, minced

1-2 cups chopped, red bell peppers

¼ cup grated parmesan cheese, plus more for the table

salt and pepper to taste

1. Cook pasta according to package directions. While the pasta is cooking, heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and cook until tender, about 30 seconds.

2. Slice sausage into ½-in. diagonal slices. Add sausage and peppers and stir until hot, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

3. Drain pasta and reserve 1/3 cup of the pasta water. Whisk pasta water with pesto and add to sausage. Add parmesan cheese and stir. Sprinkle the tops of each serving with parmesan.

4. Taste and go mmmmmm…