Sweet Apple Chicken Sausage Pasta

 

1 lb. gemelli or other short cut pasta

4 T. extra virgin olive oil

1 large shallot or 1 small onion, chopped

12oz Sweet-Apple Chicken Sausage, sliced

1 apple, peeled then chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

pinch red chili pepper flakes

salt and pepper

15oz can Great Northern Beans, drained and rinsed

6oz baby spinach

1 cup chicken broth

1/3 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

 

Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta cooking water then drain and set aside. Meanwhile, heat extra virgin olive oil in a very large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shallots and sausage then sauté until sausage is golden brown, about 3 minutes. Add apple, garlic, and red chili pepper flakes, season with salt and pepper, and then sauté until apple is tender, about 5 minutes. Add chicken broth, beans, and spinach then toss with tongs until spinach is wilted, about 1 minute. Pour sausage and apple mixture into pot with pasta then add parmesan cheese. Stir until combined, adding reserved pasta cooking water to reach desired consistency.