Recipe by Chef Cindy
Pasta with Vegan Italian Sausage & Veggies is a meal free of meat & gluten but not lacking in taste or flavor! With just three main ingredients, you have the perfect combo for a delicious meal with minimal effort or culinary expertise needed. The ingredients define this recipe!
What are vegan sausages?
Vegan sausages are amongst the numerous, plant-based meat products that are popping up in the markets. Thanks to the Impossible Burger and Beyond Burger, plant-based meat options have now become mainstream in most markets and even restaurant menus.
There are numerous plant-based sausages, ranging in flavors such as Italian, Mexican, Cajun, and German. They vary in textures, casings (or none), and how well they hold up to different cooking techniques. I am writing about this newcomer to the market because it did incredibly well in all areas of taste, texture, and stability.
What is No Evil Foods?
The "No Evil" brand of plant-based meats shares their care for the people, planet and animals. It is the core of their business and not just for profit! All the way down to the packaging, which is fully home compostable!
A little excerpt from the "No Evil" website sharing their mission section:
No Evil exists to empower people to make positive changes for themselves, the environment, and the welfare of animals through awesome food. Do No Evil is the crux of what we do and the center from which all good emanates. We’re family founded, majority women-led, human centered, and purpose-powered, and we’re determined to bring people closer to the origins of their food while addressing issues like food insecurity, economic justice, and climate change. At The Axis, No Evil Foods’ homebase, we cut through the noise, speak our truth, and attempt to change the world one bite at a time.
SIMPLY PUT, OUR MISSION IS PEOPLE, PLANET, AND ANIMALS
If you want to read more about plant-based meat, read "Say YES to No Evil Foods" shared by a TMF Contributing Team Writer in our Community Section.
What's not to love about these sausages - awesome taste and an alternative to meat for a positive impact on our planet!
What is Romanesco Broccoli?
Another unique ingredient in this sauté is Romanesco Broccoli - also referred to as Broccoflower or Roman Cauliflower. As you can probably tell by its appearance, it is a hybrid between broccoli and cauliflower but has a beautiful chartreuse color and a "fractal" form. Each bud is composed of a series of smaller buds, all arranged in yet another logarithmic spiral. The self-similar pattern continues into several smaller levels until it reaches a peak and ends.
The taste is most similar to broccoli, with a bit of an earthier profile and nutty flavor. It is pricier than broccoli and cauliflower, but it is worth every penny. Just think how impressed your guests will be if served Romanesco in a salad, crudité, or as a side dish. Another beautiful gift from the earth!
What season is Romanesco Broccoli available?
Romanesco broccoli is available in most markets beginning in the fall and through the winter months. Don't hesitate to buy romanesco as there are numerous ways to use it in recipes or as a side dish. You can substitute it in place of cauliflower or broccoli in recipes. Or eat it raw! It's great as a crunchy snack dipped in hummus.
What pasta do you recommend?
Any pasta will work with this recipe, but Mung Bean Fusilli is delicious and Gluten-Free. It isn't "gummy" or "mushy" like many gluten-free kinds of pasta. And, the flavor of mung beans stands out in this pasta and complements the other ingredients in this dish.
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Pasta with Vegan Italian Sausage & Veggies
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion diced
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 head of Romanesco Broccoli separated into bite size pieces
- 1 package No-Evil "The Stallion" Italian sausage Vegan
- 26 oz container chopped tomatoes
- 8 oz Mung Bean Fusilli Gluten-Free
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil chopped
- sea salt
Instructions
- Heat a pot of water for the pasta and cook according to directions.
- Prepare the ingredients for the sauté. Remove outer casing from the sausages and slice crosswise or on a diagonal.
- Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to a heated non-stick pan. Add onion and cook for 5 minutes. Add garlic and sliced sausages and cook until heated thru approximately 6 minutes.
- Add the romanesco brocolli. Cover and cook for an additional 5 - 7 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes and cook until flavors are blended. Add salt to taste.
- Separate the pasta into bowls, spoon in the sauté mixture and top with chopped basil.
Dawn Thelian
Delicious! I couldn’t find romanesco broccoli, so I substituted regular broccoli and it was still great! Yummy and easy to make, I highly recommend!