ORECCHIETTE WITH ROASTED FENNEL AND SAUSAGE

Orecchiette with Roasted Fennel and Sausage image

Provided by Giada De Laurentiis

Time 1h20m

Yield 2 to 3 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

Vegetable oil cooking spray
2 small bulbs fennel, trimmed and cut into 3/4-inch pieces
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
8 ounces (2 1/2 cups) orecchiette pasta
One 4-ounce spicy Italian sausage link, casing removed
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced or smashed
2 tablespoons white wine, such as pinot grigio
8 oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf Italian parsley
1 teaspoon capers, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup grated Parmesan

Steps:

For the fennel: Place an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F. Spray a small baking sheet with vegetable oil cooking spray.
Toss the fennel, oil, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Arrange the fennel in a single layer on the baking sheet. Roast until golden and tender, about 30 minutes. Set aside to cool.
For the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water.
Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add the sausage and break into 1/2-inch pieces using a wooden spoon. Cook until golden and cooked through, about 6 minutes. Add the onion, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and wine and scrape up the brown bits that cling to the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Cook until all of the wine has evaporated, about 1 minute. Add the tomatoes, parsley and capers. Cook for 30 seconds. Add the pasta, fennel and cheese. Toss until all ingredients are coated, adding the reserved pasta water as needed, to loosen the pasta.