Simple Smoked Beef Sausage Supper

Ingredients

• 1 lb. smoked beef sausage, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch thick slices
• 8 oz. uncooked orecchiette or medium shell pasta
• 1 jar (16-17 oz.) Alfredo sauce
• 1 can (15 1/2-19 oz.) Great Northern or other white beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
• pepper
• 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted

Instructions

Cook pasta according to package directions; drain.

Meanwhile place beef sausage in large skillet; add just enough water to cover bottom of skillet. Cook, uncovered, over medium heat about 7 minutes or until sausage browns slightly, stirring occasionally. Pour off drippings. Remove and reserve 5 or 6 slices of sausage.

Add Alfredo sauce, beans and chopped basil to skillet; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 5 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Combine pasta and sausage mixture in serving dish, tossing lightly. Sprinkle with pepper, as desired, and pine nuts. Top with reserved sausage slices. Garnish with basil sprigs if desired.

Suggestions

Chopped walnuts or slivered almonds may be substituted for pine nuts.

Tips from Our Cook

To toast nuts, spread in shallow pan. Bake in 325°F oven 5-7 minutes or until golden, shaking pan occasionally.

Nutritional Information

Nutrition Info per serving:  (1 serving, 11 oz.) 620 calories; 26 g fat (12 g saturated fat; 3 g monounsaturated fat); 86 mg cholesterol; 1509 mg sodium; 68 g carbohydrate; 6.1 g fiber; 32 g protein; 3.1 mg niacin; 0 mg vitamin B6; 0 mcg vitamin B12; 4.4 mg iron; 0 mcg selenium; 0.7 mg zinc.