Bow Tie Pasta With Sausage and Asparagus

I'm typically not a lover of asparagus mixed with pasta but in this dish, IT ROCKS! My family appreciates a drier pasta so if yours likes things a bit saucier you may want to double the EVOO/butter to get it to your consistency. I usually love broccoli mixed in a pasta like this but the asparagus is by far the better choice!

• Ready In: 25 mins
• Serves: 6
• Yields: 6

Ingredients

• 1  lb turkey sausage (hot or mild, cut in 1 inch slices)
• 1⁄8 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1⁄2 tablespoon butter
• 3  garlic cloves, chopped
• 2 -3  dashes crushed red pepper flakes
• 1  lb asparagus, cut into 1 inch pieces (fresh or frozen)
• 1  red bell pepper, chopped
• 1⁄4 teaspoon black pepper
•  salt
• 1⁄4 cup parmesan cheese, finely grated
• 1  lb farfalle pasta, cooked according to directions on package

Directions

1. Heat pan with olive oil and butter. Once butter melts, add garlic and cook until fragrant. Add sausage, and cayenne pepper. Cook 2 minutes.
2. Add bell pepper, asparagus and black pepper, and cook for 8-10 minutes or until asparagus is tender, but crispy.
3. Sprinkle cheese over sausage mixture and mix well.
4. Pour over hot farfalle pasta. Toss to coat. Add salt if needed.