Food from the Mediterranean Area

MODENA - ITALY

Shells with sausage and cheese

Ingredients

• 1 package uncooked pasta shells
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1/2 tablespoon finely minced onion
• 1 orange bell pepper, thinly sliced ( can substitute with red or yellow )
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 pound Italian sausage ( case removed and crumbled )
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can stewed tomatoes ( or 2 cups tomato sauce )
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tablespoon fennel seeds
• 1 teaspoon Spanish paprika

Directions

1. Cook pasta and drain.
2. While the pasta is cooking, heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook onion, orange pepper, and garlic in oil until tender, about 5 minutes. Stir the crumbled Italian sausage, salt and pepper, paprika; cook and stir until meat is browned and cooked through, about 8 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, fennel and the heavy cream. Turn the heat to medium-low, and allow the sauce to thick ( about 5 minutes).
3. Mix pasta with the sausage cream sauce, stir in the Parmesan cheese,. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley.

You can substitute Parmesan cheese with grated Asiago (milder flavor ) or crumbled Feta ( stronger flavor ).