Hearty Fall & Winter Pasta: Savory Pork Sausage & Shaved Brussels Sprouts with Sage

Indulge in a truly satisfying meal with this delightful pasta recipe, featuring succulent pork sausage, tender shaved Brussels sprouts, and fragrant fresh sage. It’s a robust and delicious main course, ideal for cozy fall and winter evenings.

It’s hard to imagine a week passing without a generously portioned bowl of pasta making an appearance, and during Brussels Sprout Week, it’s practically a requirement! The allure of a perfectly cooked pasta dish is undeniable, a true culinary cornerstone in many households, including mine.

As the legendary Sophia Loren famously quipped, “Everything you see I owe to spaghetti.” For many of us, pasta transcends mere food; it’s a source of joy, comfort, and sustenance – a veritable life necessity that enriches every moment it touches the plate.

This season, it felt imperative to craft a substantial Brussels sprout recipe that could stand as a proud main course. While Brussels sprouts often play a supporting role, they truly shine when given the spotlight, especially when paired with the right complementary ingredients. This dish is designed to transform these often-misunderstood vegetables into a star attraction.

The Inspiration Behind This Hearty Pasta Dish

The genesis of today’s pasta masterpiece lies in a delightful Brussels sprouts, ground veal, and sage pasta that my elder sister prepared for our family last year. Her creation left a lasting impression, sparking an idea to adapt and reimagine it with readily available, seasonal ingredients. While I no longer possess her original recipe, the core concept of combining earthy Brussels sprouts with savory meat and aromatic sage stuck with me. For my rendition, I opted to swap out the veal for a more accessible and equally flavorful choice: pork sage sausage.

This time of year, particularly as the holiday season approaches, many grocery stores – like Whole Foods – offer an excellent selection of bulk ground sausages. This allows for the convenience of purchasing precisely the amount needed, free from casings, which simplifies preparation. I was fortunate to find a ground pork sausage already infused with sage, which proved to be an absolutely perfect match for this recipe. However, any mild or sweet Italian pork sausage would work beautifully, offering a versatile foundation for the dish.

Fresh sage holds a special place in my heart, evoking warm memories of holiday gatherings and savory stuffing. Its distinctive, slightly peppery, and earthy aroma complements pork exceptionally well, making it an indispensable herb for creating that comforting, autumnal flavor profile we all crave. The freshness of the sage truly elevates the entire dish, adding depth and a subtle hint of tradition.

Maximizing Flavor and Texture with Shaved Brussels Sprouts

This pasta dish is generously laden with Brussels sprouts – nearly a pound of them, to be exact! To ensure a substantial amount of Brussels sprouts in every forkful, and to integrate them seamlessly into the pasta, I adopted a clever technique: shredding them in a food processor. This method creates delicate, thin shavings that cook quickly and distribute evenly throughout the sauce, avoiding the chunky texture that some people find off-putting. It’s the same technique I used for my popular Brussels sprouts apple salad, where the finely shredded texture is key to its appeal.

The process begins by sautéing these finely shaved Brussels sprouts directly in the savory drippings left behind from browning the pork sausage. A touch of water is added to help them soften and slightly caramelize, enhancing their natural sweetness and mellowing their sometimes-bitter edge. Once tender, they are combined with the browned pork sausage pieces, aromatic garlic, and an abundance of fresh sage, creating a deeply flavorful base for the pasta. A hint of dried red pepper flakes introduces a subtle warmth, providing a delightful contrast to the earthy and savory elements without overpowering the dish.

The result is a pasta dish where every ingredient plays a vital role in creating a harmonious blend of flavors and textures. The shaved Brussels sprouts become incredibly tender and flavorful, practically melting into the sauce, making this a perfect way to enjoy these nutritious vegetables, even for those who are typically skeptical.

Expert Tips for a Perfectly Balanced and Flavorful Pasta

Achieving a truly outstanding pasta dish involves more than just combining ingredients; it’s about technique and attention to detail. When browning the pork sausage, remember to do it in batches. Overcrowding the pan can lead to steaming rather than searing, preventing that crucial golden-brown crust that locks in maximum flavor. Once the sausage is beautifully browned, those pan drippings are liquid gold – don’t discard them! They form the flavorful foundation for sautéing the garlic, pepper flakes, and sage, enriching the entire dish.

The shaved Brussels sprouts benefit immensely from this flavorful sauté. Cooking them down until softened and lightly caramelized helps to unlock their sweeter notes and tenderize them to perfection. Adding a tablespoon or two of water as needed prevents the pan from drying out and encourages even cooking. This step is critical for integrating the Brussels sprouts so they enhance, rather than detract from, the pasta experience.

Finally, the magic truly happens when you combine the cooked pasta with the sausage and Brussels sprout mixture. Don’t forget to reserve some of that starchy pasta water! It’s your secret weapon for creating a silky, cohesive sauce that clings beautifully to every strand of pasta. Adding grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese at the end not only introduces a salty, umami kick but also contributes to the creamy texture when emulsified with the pasta water. Serve immediately for the best experience, perhaps with a side of crusty bread to soak up any leftover sauce, and a simple green salad for a touch of freshness.

Why This Recipe Will Become a Fall & Winter Favorite

This Strozzapreti with Pork Sausage, Shaved Brussels Sprouts, and Sage isn’t just another pasta dish; it’s a celebration of seasonal flavors and comforting textures. It strikes a perfect balance between the savory richness of pork sausage, the earthy sweetness of caramelized Brussels sprouts, and the aromatic warmth of fresh sage. The hint of red pepper flakes adds a subtle, inviting kick that makes each bite intriguing.

Beyond its incredible taste, this recipe is surprisingly straightforward to prepare, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights or relaxed weekend meals. It’s hearty enough to be a standalone main course, providing a deeply satisfying meal that will warm you from the inside out. Whether you’re looking for a new way to enjoy Brussels sprouts or simply craving a robust and flavorful pasta, this dish promises to deliver on all fronts. It’s the kind of comfort food that brings people together and leaves everyone feeling content and nourished. We hope you enjoy making and sharing this delightful creation as much as we do!