Quick Caramelized Fennel Paccheri with Sausage & Pistachios Recipe

Wild culinary adventures sometimes begin with an unexpected caramelized fennel paccheri that challenges traditional pasta expectations.

Kitchen experiments can surprise us with remarkable combinations.

Delicate fennel transforms into golden, silky ribbons when slowly cooked, releasing sweet undertones that complement robust Italian sausage.

Crispy pistachios add delightful texture and nutty complexity to this rustic dish.

Mediterranean flavors dance across each carefully crafted bite, creating a symphony of taste and texture.

Regional ingredients shine through in this sophisticated yet approachable recipe.

Walk into your kitchen and create something extraordinary that will leave everyone craving more.

Paccheri With Caramelized Fennel That’s Unexpected And Rich

• Elevate Home Cooking: Gourmet dish transforms everyday ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal with minimal professional cooking skills required.
• Quick Weeknight Winner: Total preparation takes under 45 minutes, making this complex-tasting recipe perfect for busy families seeking delicious dinners without hours of labor.
• Customizable Comfort: Easily swap sausage for vegetarian protein, adjust spice levels, or modify herbs to match personal taste preferences while maintaining the recipe's core deliciousness.
• Textural Symphony: Combines multiple exciting textures – crunchy pistachios, tender pasta, caramelized vegetables, and creamy cheese create an engaging eating experience that delights multiple senses.

Caramelized Fennel Paccheri with Savory Additions

• Pistachios: A crunchy topping with rich nutty flavor, best when lightly toasted for enhanced aroma.

• Sausage: Hearty protein that adds savory depth and rich meaty taste to the dish.

• Fennel, Red Onion: Sweet and caramelized base that provides complex layered flavor, fennel offers subtle licorice notes.
• Spinach: Fresh green element that adds color and light nutritional boost.
• Garlic: Aromatic base that intensifies overall dish flavor.

• Red Pepper Flakes: Adds gentle heat and spicy undertone.
• Basil, Parsley: Fresh herbs that bring brightness and herbal complexity.
• Salt: Essential flavor enhancer.

• Pecorino Cheese: Sharp, salty cheese that melts smoothly and adds rich umami flavor.
• Butter: Provides richness and helps create silky sauce texture.

• White Wine: Adds acidity and depth to the sauce.
• Olive Oil: Provides smooth cooking base with subtle fruity undertones.

• Paccheri: Large tube-shaped pasta perfect for holding chunky sauces.

Caramelized Fennel Paccheri with Sausage & Pistachios – How to Make

Step 1: Toast the Pistachios

Warm a small skillet over medium heat.

Melt a knob of butter, add the chopped pistachios, and stir constantly for about a minute, until they smell nutty and golden.

Transfer to a bowl and set aside.

Step 2: Brown the Sausage

Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat.

Crumble in your sausage and cook, breaking it into bits, until it develops a rich, browned exterior (about 5–6 minutes).

Scoop the cooked sausage onto a plate and leave any fond behind.

Step 3: Caramelize Fennel & Onions

In the same pot, add sliced red onion and thinly-shredded fennel with a pinch of salt.

Sauté over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften and take on a deep golden color (around 10 minutes).

Step 4: Cook the Pasta

Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a rolling boil.

Add paccheri and cook 2 minutes less than the package directs, stirring now and then to prevent sticking.

Reserve a cup of the pasta water, then drain.

Step 5: Build the Sauce

Toss minced garlic and a pinch of red pepper flakes into the caramelized vegetables and sauté for just 30 seconds.

Pour in a splash of white wine and about ½ cup of the reserved pasta water.

Let the liquid bubble and reduce for 3 to 4 minutes until slightly thickened.

Step 6: Combine & Finish

Return the sausage to the pot along with a pat of butter and a handful of fresh spinach.

Add the drained pasta and toss vigorously to coat—adding more pasta water if you need to loosen the sauce.

Stir in grated pecorino until it melts into a creamy coating, then fold through chopped basil and parsley.

Step 7: Garnish & Serve

Spoon the pasta into a warm serving bowl.

Shower with the toasted pistachios, an extra sprinkle of pecorino, and a few fresh herb leaves.

Serve immediately, while it’s still steaming hot.

Paccheri Pasta Tips With Fennel Depth

• Gently melt butter in a skillet and toast pistachios until golden and fragrant, releasing their rich, nutty flavor without burning.
• Cook fennel and onions slowly over medium heat, stirring occasionally to develop deep, sweet caramelized notes that enhance the dish's complexity.
• Undercook paccheri by 2 minutes during boiling, ensuring a perfect al dente texture that will continue cooking when combined with the sauce.
• Use reserved pasta water to create a silky, smooth sauce that clings beautifully to the pasta, bringing all ingredients together harmoniously.
• Add fresh basil and parsley at the very end to preserve their vibrant color and aromatic qualities, elevating the dish's overall freshness and flavor profile.

Pasta with Fennel and Pistachios Ready for Second Servings

• Store leftover paccheri in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Cool completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Warm individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating. Add a splash of water or chicken broth to prevent drying out.
• Revive pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a bit of olive oil or reserved pasta water to restore moisture and restore the sauce's creamy texture.
• Freeze portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to maintain the best flavor and texture.

What Complements Fennel Paccheri

• Elevate Wine Pairing: Choose a crisp, medium-bodied white wine like Vermentino or Pinot Grigio to complement the fennel's subtle sweetness and cut through the richness of sausage and cheese.
• Herb-Infused Companion: Serve a fresh herb salad with arugula, parsley, and lemon vinaigrette to brighten the dish's robust flavors and provide a light, zesty contrast.
• Texture-Enhancing Side: Add a crusty sourdough bread on the side to soak up the delicious sauce and provide a crunchy textural element that balances the creamy pasta.
• Bold Drink Match: Consider a light Italian red like Barbera or Chianti, which offers enough acidity to stand up to the sausage while not overpowering the delicate fennel notes.

Caramelized Fennel Paccheri with Sausage & Pistachios Ideas

• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace paccheri pasta with gluten-free penne or rigatoni made from rice or corn flour, ensuring the same hearty texture.
• Vegetarian Version: Swap sausage with plant-based crumbles or roasted mushrooms for a protein-rich alternative that maintains the dish's robust flavor profile.
• Low-Carb Option: Substitute pasta with spiralized zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice, keeping the caramelized fennel and pistachio garnish for added depth.
• Dairy-Free Modification: Use olive oil instead of butter and nutritional yeast in place of pecorino cheese, maintaining the recipe's rich Mediterranean essence.

FAQs

• Why toast the pistachios?

Toasting brings out the nuts’ rich, nutty flavor and adds a delightful crunch to the dish. It enhances the overall taste and texture, creating a more complex and satisfying eating experience.

• Can I substitute the paccheri pasta?

You can use other large tube pasta like rigatoni or ziti if paccheri isn’t available. Just ensure the pasta has a similar shape and can hold the sauce well.

• What does caramelizing fennel and onions do?

Caramelizing develops a deep, sweet flavor by breaking down the natural sugars in fennel and onions. This process creates a rich, complex base for the sauce that adds depth and complexity to the entire dish.

• Is this recipe spicy?

The red pepper flakes provide a mild heat that can be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the amount. If you’re sensitive to spice, you can reduce or omit the red pepper flakes altogether.

Caramelized Fennel Paccheri with Sausage & Pistachios Recipe

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4.6 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Caramelized fennel paccheri with sausage & pistachios delivers a symphony of Mediterranean flavors in one luxurious pasta dish. Sicilian-inspired ingredients dance together, creating a sophisticated plate that invites passionate cooks to savor each complex, richly textured bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 3/4 pound (340 grams) paccheri pasta
• 1/2 pound (227 grams) mild Italian sausage
• 1 large fennel bulb, cored and thinly sliced
• 1 small red onion, thinly sliced

Herbs and Seasonings:

• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, roughly torn
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
• Kosher salt, to taste

Supporting Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons butter, divided
• 1 cup white wine
• 1/2 cup roasted salted pistachios, chopped
• 1/4 pound (113 grams) fresh spinach
• 3/4 cup grated pecorino cheese, plus more for garnish
• 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
• Olive oil, as needed

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Instructions

1. Gently warm a skillet and melt butter, then carefully toast pistachios until they release a rich, nutty aroma. Remove and reserve for garnishing.
2. Select a heavy-bottomed pot and introduce olive oil over moderate heat. Crumble sausage into the pan, allowing it to develop a deep golden-brown exterior through even cooking.
3. Without cleaning the pot, introduce thinly sliced red onion and fennel, seasoning with a delicate salt sprinkle. Allow vegetables to slowly transform, developing rich caramel undertones through patient, occasional stirring.
4. Simultaneously prepare a large water vessel, seasoning generously with salt. Submerge paccheri pasta, monitoring cooking time to ensure a perfectly al dente texture.
5. Enhance the caramelized vegetable foundation by incorporating minced garlic and red pepper flakes, creating an aromatic base. Deglaze with white wine, allowing liquid to concentrate and integrate flavors.
6. Unite pasta with the robust sauce, gently folding in fresh spinach, previously cooked sausage, and remaining butter. Integrate pecorino cheese, creating a luxurious, silky coating that envelops each pasta tube.
7. Transfer the gleaming pasta to an elegant serving dish, crowning with toasted pistachios, additional pecorino shavings, and a scattering of fresh herb confetti.

Notes

• Enhance fennel’s sweetness by letting it caramelize slowly without stirring too frequently, allowing natural sugars to develop a deep golden color.
• Undercook pasta slightly when boiling since it continues cooking in the sauce, preventing mushy texture and maintaining perfect al dente consistency.
• Toast pistachios carefully to release their nutty flavor without burning, watching the skillet closely and stirring continuously for even browning.
• Substitute Italian sausage with plant-based alternatives like crumbled tempeh or vegan sausage for a vegetarian version that maintains rich, savory profile.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 540
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 54 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg