Recipe Detail Page

1. Remove sausage’s casing; crumble sausage into a bowl. Crumble in pork; sprinkle with garlic and parsley. Using hands, toss until well mixed. Divide and form into 6 patties, each about ¾ inch (2 cm) thick. (Burgers can be covered and refrigerated for up to a day.)

2. Seed peppers; slice into strips about ¼ inch (5 mm) wide. Likewise slice onion. (Peppers and onions can be covered and refrigerated for up to a day.) When ready to sauté, heat 1 tbsp (15 mL) olive oil in a medium frying pan over medium heat; add peppers and onions. Sauté, turning occasionally, for 20 to 25 minutes or until softened. Then stir in pesto; reduce heat to low to keep warm while frying burgers.

3. Meanwhile bring a large saucepan or pot half-filled with salted water to a boil; cook penne according to package directions, usually about 10 minutes. Drain and refresh under cold running water. (Penne can be covered and refrigerated for up to a day.) Heat tomato sauce in medium saucepan over medium heat until hot. Stir in cooled penne. When hot, spoon onto one side of warmed large serving plates; garnish with cheese and a dollop of pesto.

4. Simultaneously, cook burgers, frying in batches or in 2 pans as needed. Heat 1 to 2 tbsp (15 to 25 mL) oil in a large frying pan sprayed with high-heat cooking spray (or a nonstick pan) over medium heat until very hot. Add burgers without crowding; sauté 8 to 10 minutes per side or until crusty and cooked through. Slide into buns, top with peppers and serve with penne.

Tip: Italian sausage imported from the United States can have high fructose corn syrup or sugar added, presumably to aid in browning. However, in my experience, this unnecessary sweetness just aids in burning! Seek out butcher-made sausage in shops and Italian stores such as Longo’s for best sugar-free quality.