Smokey Brats & Spinach Pasta

Submitted by Pureyum

"I've been trying hard to find a really tastey spinach pasta recipe, there are many good ones out there, but I decided to come up with something with a little more flavor than what I was finding, so, here's a delicious blend of smoked brats, spinach, mushrooms and onion, on a bed of whole wheat linguinie, that will knock your socks off."

 

• Ready In: 40mins
• Ingredients: 11
• Yields: 8 cups
• Serves: 4-6

ingredients

• 6 -8 ounces whole wheat linguine
• 3 bratwursts (smoked and cut diagonally into bite size pieces)
• 3 -4 large garlic cloves (finely chopped)
• 1 (10 ounce) package frozen spinach (thawed)
• 1⁄2 medium yellow onion (chopped into 3/4 inch squares)
• 4 ounces mushrooms (sliced)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 lemon, juice of

directions

1. The Brats -- I only use 3, but it doesn't make sense to smoke only three when there are generally 5 to a package, so I smoke them all and use the rest in other recipes. You can use pre-smoked brats, if you prefer, but they should be a really good smokehouse type.
2. In 12" sauce pan melt butter on medium heat, add garlic, salt and saute until butter just starts to turn brown. Add onions, cook until soft, add mushrooms just until softly saturated. Gently stir in spinach, olive oil, lemon juice, pepper and brats. Turn heat to low cover and simmer while while pasta is prepared.
3. Prepare pasta per package instructions, once done and drained, fold into spinach mixture thoroughly. It's ready to serve! This can also be done in the same manner using smoked chicken breast.
4. You can of course, be creative and add some grated parmesean, or crushed red pepper to give it a little kick.