Linguine In Tomato Sauce with Chicken Sausage, Blistered Tomatoes, Kale, and Mozzarella Pearls
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 15 minutesminutes
Cook Time 45 minutesminutes
Total Time 1 hourhour
Servings 6
Ingredients
4links of chicken and roasted pepper sausage links
1tbspolive oildivided
1 ½cupsof grape tomatoessliced in half lengthwise
½sweet yellow oniondiced finely
3clovesof garlicminced
1tspfennel seedscrushed
1-2pinchesof crushed red pepper flakesdepending on how spicy you would like it
1 28ozcan of whole tomatoesblended
Sea salt and freshly cracked pepperto taste
Pinchof sugarif desired
2cupsof fresh kalechopped
8ozof linguinecooked per instructions
Mozzarella pearlsto taste
Instructions
Blend the can of whole tomatoes with a blender or an immersion blender. Set aside.
Heat a small Dutch oven that's coated in cooking spray over medium-high heat. Add the chicken sausage links and cook until all sides are golden brown, about 6-7 minutes. Remove from the heat and place on a cutting board with a tin foil tent.
Add a teaspoon of olive oil in the same Dutch oven then add the grape tomato halves. Cook, flipping the tomatoes halfway through cooking, for about 2-3 minutes or until blistered. Remove from the pan and set aside.
Add the remaining 2 teaspoons of olive oil to the pan then add the onion; cook, stirring often, for 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic, crushed fennel seeds, and crushed red pepper flakes, stirring constantly for 1 minute.
Add the blended tomatoes then season with sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste and a pinch of sugar if desired. Cover with a lid and turn the heat to low; simmer for 30 minutes.
Slice the sausages into bite-sized chunks then add them along with the kale to the tomato sauce.
Prepare the linguine in salted water per package instructions. Drain then add the pasta to the tomato sauce. Mix until well combined. Taste and season with sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, if needed.
Toss in the mozzarella pearls and the blistered grape tomatoes then serve immediately. Enjoy.