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Before you dive into this post, feel free to check out my Tate’s Bake Shop cookies and a cookbook giveaway!  ALSO if you could please vote for my salt photos and pumpkin pancakes with a maple cinnamon greek yogurt topping over at MarxFoods, I would really appreciate it!

I have needs.

Sometimes, those needs involve dancing around my room to Lady Gaga.  Possibly in my underwear.  Possibly not.  And no, I am not going to clarify exactly what I mean by “not”.  And yes, mom.  I know that you are not going to like that I wrote that.  But sometimes, the truth is embarrassing.  There’s just no way around it.

Sometimes, those needs involve eating peppermint swirl Hershey’s kisses like they’re going out of style.  Especially because come January 1st, they most certainly will be going out of style and so you’ll have to special order them from some retailer on Amazon who has potentially laced them with LSD.  You can just never tell about these people who hoard candy for the sole purpose of selling it on Amazon.  I mean, really, what kind of person has the self control to let mounds of these sit in their house without eating them.  A psychopathic killer.  That’s who.

(What I’m trying to say is.  Please.  Go to Target.  Stock up.  Your life depends on it.)

055

And sometimes.  These needs involve getting home from an 11.5 mile run.  (Yes.  I said run.  Slow run.  But run nonetheless.)

Taking an ice bath.  (Sorry Alan, I had to do it.)

And eating fresh ricotta, courtesy of your local Italian grocer, out of the container with a spoon.

More than a need, I’m entirely convinced that this is a basic right.  It’s up there with oxygen.  Water.  Shelter.  Indoor plumbing.

Actually, I think that this ricotta cheese.  Especially when swirled into this pasta dish.  Laced with parmesan cheese and sausage crumbles and big wide fresh noodles that also came from the aforementioned Italian grocer’s and that really have the perfect texture – soft with just a hint of a bite to them.

Well, it might just surpass indoor plumbing.  Especially when you are in the midst of a 1000 calorie deficit and it’s all you can do prevent yourself from eating your own hand.  Really, you feel yourself starting to nibble, you just stick a spoonful of ricotta in your mouth. It works wonders.

And, at the least, it will make your day seem entirely worthwhile, all in under 30 minutes.  Even if you haven’t  run 11.5 slow but steady miles.  That seems like a pretty good deal to me.

061

Pappardelle with Smashed Peas, Sausage, and Ricotta Cheese
Serves 4, adapted from Giada’s Kitchen 

1 lb fresh or dried pappardelle or tagliatelle
1 tbsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic, chopped
3 links Italian sausage, I used chicken sausage
1 lb frozen peas, thawed
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 bunch fresh basil, chopped (about 3/4 cup)
1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
1 tsp salt

1. Bring a large salted pot of water to a boil.  Add pasta and cook until tender, just a bit firm to the bite.  That should be about 8-10 minutes for dried pasta and 5 for the pappardelle that I used.  Drain, reserving 1 cup of the pasta water.

2. While waiting for the water to boil, start making your sauce.  Heat the olive and garlic in a large non-stick pan over medium-high heat.  When the garlic becomes fragrant, remove the sausage from it’s casing and add the meat to the pan.  Use a wooden spoon to try to break the sausage in to small pieces.  When the sausage has browned, push it to one side of the pan and add the peas to the other, smashing them with the back of the wooden spoon.

3. Turn off the heat.  Add the ricotta cheese and stir to combine. Add in the cooked pasta and toss.  Add the pasta water in 1/4 cup increments if necessary to make a sauce.  I ended up adding about 1/2 cup pasta water.  Add the basil, parmesan cheese, and salt.  Toss well to combine.

**For the vegetarians out there, I think this would actually be just as delicious without the sausage.  Just saying.

This is my submission to next week’s I Heart Cooking Clubs!  I am also submitting it to Presto Pasta Nights, which is being hosted by Ruth of Once Upon A Feast.

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You are reading this post on Eats Well With Others at https://joanne-eatswellwithothers.com. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the author and or owner of Eats Well With Others. All rights reserved by Joanne Bruno.
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105 Responses to Pappardelle with Smashed Peas, Sausage, and Ricotta

  1. Simply Life says:

    Nice job running 11.5 miles (how do you stay warm???) and also making this!

  2. i’d run 11.5 miles if i could eat this after. ok, i wouldn’t, but this looks delicious

  3. Lea Ann says:

    I slow walked about a half mile yesterday…I think I deserve a bowl of this.

  4. high low says:

    I haven’t eaten breakfast yet, and your pasta dish is killing me!! It looks so good and your photos are amazing!

  5. jenna laughs says:

    I love learning a new pasta dish. This one looks great, I love the idea of smashed peas!

  6. Julie says:

    This pasta looks amazing!! I just wish pasta was good for you or me!!!

  7. Kim says:

    Yes, yes, and yes! I’m starting to think about eating my hand and I only just woke up. Pappardelle is one of my favorite pasta shapes (okay, they’re all my favorites), but pappardelle is really up there on the list. I love how luscious this looks with the creamy cheese and sausage crumbles.

    And, I just bought another bag of those swirly peppermint lovelies from Target. Dangerous.

  8. Mary says:

    I could quite happily have a plate or two of your pasta. The running – I have to think about :-). have a great day. Blessings…Mary

  9. I haven’t tried pappardelle before but they look so tempting when combining with cheese and sausage. So delicious!! I will definite choose this dish than go for the run. Hehehe!

  10. janet says:

    Good for you for keeping up your running. My bike is away for the winter, sadly enough. 🙁

  11. Pappardelle is one of the prettiest looking pastas in my opinion. The flavor combination of this sounds fantastic. I love it! I don’t think I’ll be running any sort of mileage before eating it though 😉

  12. This is so pretty! I’ve never seen pappardelle. I’m pretty boring when it comes to pasta.

    Nice on the run! That ice bath must be a killer but I’m sure your legs thanked you for it!

  13. Eden says:

    good lord! 11.5 miles! I run too, slow also, but my heart gives up on like mile four. I used to be an avid over exerciser in my ED days and I did like 12-15 miles a day. I dont know what I was thinking! O yea…I wasn’t. But that said, I also never replenished the calories….silly eden.
    I’m going to be really sad when canned pumpkin will be become a black market item with those hershey kisses. Stock up, and when spring comes, sell a few on ebay.

  14. Peggy says:

    Definitely congrats on the 11.5 mile run! I definitely couldn’t stand the cold long enough for that! 5 miles and I’d be frozen. This pasta looks like the perfect comfort dish though!

  15. girl, aren’t you recovering from a stress fracture?! why are you running NYRR races? you. are. crazy. anyway, i’m intrigued by the short ingredient list, and the fact that you can use chicken sausage instead (i don’t eat much red meat). which shop do you buy your fresh ricotta at? the Italian BF would be verrrry impressed with this dish. hmm.

  16. I like the big pasta goodness and the richness of it laced with the cheeses… it screams DELICIOSO!

  17. Ruth Daniels says:

    And now I have two NEW cravings! Thanks!

    Seriously – great post and thanks for being first in for next year’s Presto Pasta Night. It looks awesome.

    Have a Joyous Holiday and perfect 2011.

  18. Hahaha! You made me laugh so hard with your Lady Gaga comment… I, too, may have danced to Gaga in my underwear (or not) from time to time.

    This recipe is full of such wonderful ingredients… I am going to be making this very soon (I actually want to try making pappardelle form scratch).

    Great post!

  19. monicajane says:

    as so often is the case I actually make stuff after viewing your recipe…

    I made this for lunch! sans the peas and with rotelle…since I had the rest of the ingredients in my kitchen…

    YUM!

    your storytelling as usual is unrivaled…

  20. I’m in–except for the running and the ice bath. And, I may or may not hoard candy for mid-winter profit. Check back!!

    Happy, happy holidays to you and yours!

    Best,
    Bonnie

  21. Ice bath ?? how to u manage in such colds? 11 miles is too too good for the record..u gotta be fit grl!This dish looks super yum & wholesome!oh that rhymes..he he

  22. I love the meaty texture of pappardelle pasta. This looks like a satisfying antidote to a long morning or a long session of dancing to Lady Gaga. 🙂

  23. Swathi says:

    Ice bath? I can’t even think about them. voted for you sure you are going to be the winner. I am not a fan of lady gaga, i can’t comment on that part.

  24. Swathi says:

    By the way pasta looks delicious, creamy goodness.

  25. OKay wait, you are going out in winter weather, running half a marathon, then coming back and taking an ice bath? Joanne, you definitely boarder on insane – but, that is why I love your blog so much 🙂

    No ricotta on a spoon for me, but that dish still looks scrumptious!

  26. nico. says:

    ooh, I love and MISS ricotta because of my boyfriend’s lactose intolerance, but I am beginning to hoard lactose ridden recipes for when he goes out of town in January … I can’t wait ot make this!

  27. Beth says:

    Joanne, I don’t know which I like more — the way your posts always make me laugh, or the fantastic recipes you post. Let’s call it a tie. I never miss your blog!

  28. Peabody says:

    Mmm, that looks super yummy.
    Always dance in your undies…I think it makes you feel more like a rock star. 🙂

  29. Shannon says:

    you’re making me hungry… this looks awesome 🙂

  30. Sara says:

    I often throw frozen peas into a dinner mashup. They add great color and flavor, and it seems like they go well with so many other foods.

    Is Ozomanelli’s your Italian grocer? I always enjoyed staring in the door as I passed by.

  31. Perfect ending to a great run! This sounds fantastic but I’d have to have a smaller portion since there aren’t any 11.5 mile runs going on here!

  32. This looks soooo good! The world would be a more peaceful place if everyone just gave into their ricotta desires 🙂

  33. teresa says:

    i have never tried papardelle, but i NEED to! those big fat noodles are irresistable, especially when dressed in such incredible ingredients!

    good for you girl, what a run!

  34. Chris says:

    “special order them from some retailer on Amazon who has potentially laced them with LSD.”

    Which coincidentally would lead to dancing to Lady Gaga in your underwear……or not.

    I actually have everything I need to make this except the pappardelle. This might be tomorrow nights dinner. Or the next night. But soon!

    I hope I don’t need an ice bath. I ran sprints with Trevor trying to help him with off season conditioning. The up hill and down hill sprint portions kicked my ass.

  35. Katerina says:

    With all this running you stay fit even though you make such tempting and sinful meals as this pasta dish. Seriously, it must have been really tasty.

  36. Ooh baby! That is some sexy food right there. Do I have to run to get some?

  37. La Liz says:

    Oh, I could devour a plate of this amazing Pappardelle right now. It’s beautiful. The kitchen is 11.5 feet away . . . thanks, Joanne!

  38. Johanna GGG says:

    those noodles look like exactly what you would need after a run – I am in two minds about ricotta but it sounds like a good way to serve it – and as for hershey peppermint kisses – never heard of them – no hershey kisses in our shops – which is just as well or I might have to take your advice

  39. Amy says:

    I might have to run 11.5 miles to justify this…but I. don’t. care.

    By the way, I spit out my tea with your LSD-laced peppermint kisses. You are too witty, my friend!

  40. OohLookBel says:

    Oh, I just love ricotta, especially with pasta, and as gnocchi. And here’s a news flash: I eat ricotta even when I *haven’t* run 11.5 miles (no surprises there, huh?). Lovely recipe!

  41. Amy says:

    Oh honey. You so tired. Legs sore? Dogs were barkin? I completely understand.

    As if my birthday could not have gotten any better from spending it with Yigit yesterday, my entire family came over this morning for brunch. And I got a Breville panini maker. SCORE. I feel ya on the ricotta, and thinking my first panini needs to include it somehow.

  42. Debinhawaii says:

    Don’t want to run more than maybe .5 miles 😉 but would definitely love of some this–what a delicious-looking dish.

  43. Good looking pasta dish Love the flavours.

  44. Chef Dennis says:

    I love pappardelle, unfortunately my wife does not…sigh
    Your fresh ricotta mixed in with those lovely noodles and chicken sausage just looks so delicious! I would love a nice big bowl of it right now. I do love pasta!!
    cheers
    Dennis

  45. Wow. I can almost taste it! YUM!

  46. Victoria says:

    I think ricotta cheese makes everything better, especially FRESH ricotta 🙂 PS I voted for you at Marx foods and you’re in the lead!! Good luck!

  47. I agree with Victoria. Pasta and ricotta just make life so much better.

  48. That Girl says:

    I wholeheartedly believe there are few things in life better than fresh ricotta. And after an 11.5 mile run your body NEEDS the calcium and fat that ricotta provides.

  49. theUngourmet says:

    I am crazy for those peppermint kisses! I just discovered them recently and I can’t get enough. This is one great looking pasta dish. 😛

  50. Kerstin says:

    Glad your running is going well!! Such flavorful and well deserved carbs 🙂

  51. Bridgett says:

    I have had my eye on this recipe for a while. Your photos make it all the more inviting. I love to stock up on those junior mints with xmas sprinkles. For some reason, and I know this makes me sound mental, but they taste soooo much better. I swear those sprinkles are like crack. They have to be. Wishing you the best this holiday, sweetie. I hope all your wishes come true.

  52. Vivienne says:

    oh my gosh why do you always make the type of food that i always wish i have in front of me right now?
    wow hersheys that crazed over there? is that some kinda special edition or something…must be xmas season making everyone a lil crazy 😉

  53. Nicole, RD says:

    You are a running rock star!! Makes me tired just reading about it! No wonder you made that savory leek bread pudding…carbs!! We made it last night and it was DELICIOUS! I’ll be posting about it this week! Thanks for another fabulous recipe!

  54. Nutmeg Nanny says:

    I used to hate ricotta. Then I tried fresh ricotta. Nothing like it. Soooooo amazing. This pasta looks amazing too. I’m loving the sausage mixed in…yum!

  55. Dawn says:

    A girls gotta do what a girls gotta do. espeically when it comes to eating fresh ricotta. Mmmmm………

  56. I have a similar ricotta need! these looks so good!

  57. he he I want to see a dancing video !!

    great dish pure comfort food

  58. Checked and participated too , now hope i win:-))
    ANd voted for u too:-)

    Ur telling me Jo, i have orderd for those candy cankisses and from amazon , gosh , u scared me now!
    Am still waiting for them :-))

    And sooo badly!

    if i had an italian grocery , oh would have loved that!!!
    And i love ur needs by the way and yeah ur the star runner!
    The pappardelle is oh so good , with mashed peas and sausage.
    Fantastic food with love from Eats well with others Kitchens.

  59. Voted 🙂
    This dish is absolutely delightful…ricotta is one of life’s most amazing pleasures. Love all of the colors and soft warmness of it.
    I have never purchased candy via Amazon, and now I am quite sure I never will, too funny 🙂

  60. Stella says:

    This is a beautiful and delicious looking pasta, Joanne. I never buy pappardelle b/c it is always so pricey for some reason. Maybe I need to finally buy a pasta maker and make my own! And in this smashed pea style (smile)…
    p.s. I voted over at M.F. Yeah!

  61. pajamachef says:

    ooooh beautiful! love the flavors.

  62. Faith says:

    That is one lust-inducing bowl of pasta! And OMG, why have I never tasted fresh ricotta?! Wonder if I can find it here…if not I know myself, I will not get a good night’s sleep until I make it…and then make this pasta. 😉

  63. Pam says:

    I have needs too… I NEED A BIG BOWL OF THIS BEAUTIFUL PASTA!

  64. Amazing! I like your needs…a bowl of ricotta and a spoon sounds great to me!

  65. aipi says:

    Delicious…Such a tempting platter you have there…
    You got my vote 🙂

    US Masala

  66. Lori says:

    Ok, first, this sounds AMAZING. Second, the pictures are incredible! Help me with my new camera!! lol

    Honestly though, the photography is spectacular.

  67. La Liz says:

    . . . (forgot to add) I voted for you too. The pancakes are amazing. 🙂

  68. Kris says:

    YUM! Happy Holidays love.
    Can you email me your address so that I can send you your earrings? LOL!

    [email protected]

  69. You amazing little person with your running abilities . . . I’ve always had such a respect for runners, because the two times I’ve tried it I almost died (OK, well not literally, but that’s what it felt like!).
    Those wide noodles look simply glorious.
    I’m voting for you asap at Marx Foods. Hope you win. =)

  70. Congrats on the 11.5 mile run! I’m so jealous! I just started running and it has been a challenge for me but, you have inspired me to keep going. This pasta looks like the perfect comfort dish ~ Wish I had some right about now!

  71. I must, must, must make this! I have not run even one mile in the last century. Walked several but no running. Who to eat this with is the problem. My hubby is a no ricotta kind of guy. I did not know this before I married him. Might have considered otherwise. Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment. I voted for your salt photos! 🙂

  72. Sharon says:

    Ha. I always wonder the same thing about candy sold at places like Marshalls. Is this stuff edible?!

    Your pasta looks simply amazing. There’s nothing better than fresh ricotta. Except maybe those peppermint hershey kisses!

  73. vincent says:

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  74. Deborah says:

    What I wouldn’t do to live down the street from that Italian grocer!! Everything about this is calling out to me.

  75. tigerfish says:

    Errrr…leave the sausages in for me 🙂

  76. Sausages and pasta just works! The family would thoroughly enjoy your pasta dish. About the Hershey swirls, can you believe I haven’t bought any. I know, I’ll have to hurry to the store so that I can make some of those lovely treats with the pretzels as the base except that it is snowing like crazy again here in Minnesota. You know, we just got in from shovelling and there is no more room to shovel that snow to!!!

  77. What is it about pappardelle and ricotta cheese that makes it so heavenly? Fresh ricotta cheese is like gold in this house.

  78. I think this is exactly what is missing from my life. This amazing soft fresh good-quality ricotta cheese. I once tasted fat-free ricotta straight from the container. OMG so nasty. Good things are worth indulging in.

  79. Little Inbox says:

    Joanne, wishing you a Merry Christmas!

  80. My needs basically include you cooking this for me and um…oh yeah. that’s it! 😉

  81. I love thinking of ways to replenish the calories burned during a good workout. Ricotta sounds like a very good way to do, and this fresh pappardelle sounds delicious too!

  82. Julie says:

    can i tell you i was just thinking the other day whether or not i would like ricotta cheese. i feel like i probably wouldn’t but i might. hahaha i guess i’ll have to try it someday.

    okay so i saw the doctor and i have to get a chest xray but he said everything looked/sounded pretty good which is good! he said it could potentially be peri…crap i forgot the name but its where your lungs rub against the muscles haha so he said to drink more water than i already do and take advil. pray for me that it works!!

  83. Raina says:

    That is one satisfying looking dish for sure! I love those big noodles. I have not seen them before. I will have to keep my eye out. With those noodles covered in your ricotta sauce, I would be in heaven.

    I voted for you, nice pics:)

  84. owh…not in your underwear? ahem ahem!
    btw, hello comfort in a dish…

  85. wow! I wish I could run that many miles! the pasta looks like the perfect reward for an athlete like yourself! Go girl!

  86. Reeni says:

    I had my hand on the bag of peppermint kisses and then quickly snatched it back and forced myself to walk away! Now I regret it.

    This is a my kind of pasta – a dish of pure and comforting love!

  87. Kristen says:

    I think it may be considered a crime to give someone fresh, Italian deli ricotta and then have them to move to a tiny, definitely Podunk nowhere town in Smallville, Arizona where the best ricotta comes in a nationally known commercial red and white container, thereby forcing them to weep whenever another blogger in a much more cosmopolitan locale mentions said fresh ricotta. Just saying.

  88. sweetlife says:

    oh goodness what a fab dish of pasta!! I love the wide noodles, chicken , peas and ricotta..perfect mix of flavors…

    sweetlife

  89. that sounds amazing and the pictures make me want to eat my computer screen! thanx for the share!

  90. This is a FEAST for me. I am not the one who loves to sit at the grand banquet or a proper 12-course dinner…I just love those one-dish meal and sit in front of TV and enjoy!
    Your pappardelle looks mouthwatering!

  91. ++MIRA++ says:

    gorgeous! that looks amazing, and that pasta phenomenal,can i have a bite?

  92. grace says:

    three things i like to include in every pasta dish i make are peas, pig, and cheese. chicken sausage? that’s a suitable alternative. nice dish. 🙂

  93. The name “parpadelle” evocates all the flavours of Italy…And I can’t resist ricotta, especially in a delicious pasta dish like this one!

    There is an award for you on my blog 🙂

  94. oh my gosh! seriously yummy- i love the creamy texture!

  95. Mo Diva says:

    I thought i was the only one with an addiction to ricotta. Its my weakness… especially if there is fresh marinara sauce around.
    I left a really long comment on your most recent post and excitedly exited the page before it posted. DAMMIT.
    It had something to do with puppy cuddles and textbooks. and how awesome your bread looked….and i also bitched about making a million cookies by myself and might have enlisted your hands for next years. LOL.
    save me some of that crack laced ricotta please. we will have at it with a spoon. and a chick flick. and some wine.

  96. elra says:

    Your ravioli look gorgeous and delicious Joanne.

    Happy holidays to you and your love one !

  97. elra says:

    I mean your Pappardelle 🙂

  98. dana says:

    I love pasta.This is a great idea.thanks.

  99. MM says:

    Wish I could find pappardelle here. It always looks lovely.

    You may have all of my peppermint swirl kisses if I can have a plate of this.

    (Nevermind the fact that I don’t like them!)
    (Please don’t hate me.)

  100. ARLENE says:

    Papparadelle is hands down my favorite pasta. I’d have to omit the peas, but I’d bet this dish is a just reward for running…even just one mile!

  101. Emily says:

    Your pancakes got my vote! 🙂

  102. Josie says:

    I made this recipe from Giada a few years ago too, and I was surprised by how much we enjoyed it. Apparently peas + ricotta = delicious. Ho would’ve thought?

  103. Love this recipes and all the beautiful photos!

  104. Grace says:

    Hello, When I saw this recipe, I knew we had all the ingredients especially the Ricotta cheese; I had used the other Ricotta cheese in a delicious Meat Lasagna for Christmas and was wondering how to use the rest.
    This recipe was actually prepared by my husband since I work weekends. Delicious, there was enough left for two lunches. Sounds like you enjoy living in NYC,and I like your title,” Eats Well With Others”.

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