Orecchiette With Sausage, Beans, and Mascarpone

Another one from Giada off of Food Network. I love this recipe because its light in fat and calories, yet rich, savory, and satisfying. I like to use hot turkey sausage to give it some zing. This is a very simple recipe, with a huge payoff. Enjoy!!

• Ready In: 25 mins
• Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

• 1  lb  orechiette pasta
• 2  tablespoons olive oil
• 1⁄2 lb turkey sausage, casing removed
• 1  small onion, chopped
• 1 (15 ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 2  tablespoons  chopped fresh oregano leaves
• 1⁄2 cup mascarpone cheese
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat.
2. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes.
3. Drain pasta reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid.
4. In a large, heavy skillet warm the olive oil over medium-high heat.
5. Add the sausage and onions. Using a wooden spoon break up the sausage into bite-sized pieces as it browns.
6. Continue cooking until the sausage is golden and the onions are tender.
7. Add the beans and oregano cook for 2 more minutes.
8. Add the mascarpone cheese and slowly add the pasta cooking liquid until a smooth sauce forms, scraping up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan.