Caramelised Fennel and Sausage Pasta

Sometimes all you need is a big bowl of beige and this caramelised fennel and sausage pasta delivers both on taste and comfort. Fennel is woefully underrated. It normally has a mild anise or liquorice flavour but when you cook it like this, it loses those notes and becomes quite sweet. All this to say that if you don’t ordinarily like fennel, there’s still a strong chance you’ll love this dish.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Key Ingredients
• The Underrated Fennel
• Fennel Fronds Crumb: A Delightful Garnish
• Choosing the Right Sausage
• Caramelising the Fennel
• Adding Depth with White Wine
• Creamy Crème Fraîche
• Where to Shop

Introduction

Caramelised Fennel and Sausage Pasta is a delightful dish that combines the rich flavours of sausages with the sweet, caramelised goodness of fennel. This recipe is perfect for those who seek comfort food with a twist. The fennel transforms from its usual aniseed flavour to a sweet, tender delight that complements the savoury sausage perfectly. Let’s explore the ingredients and steps involved in creating this delicious meal.

Key Ingredients

• Day-old Bread: Forms the base of the fennel fronds crumb, adding texture and crunch.
• Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: Used for cooking the breadcrumbs and sautéing the sausage and vegetables.
• Fennel Bulbs: The star of the dish, offering a sweet flavour when caramelised.
• Good-Quality Sausages: Provide a rich, meaty flavour.
• Onions: Add sweetness and depth to the dish.
• Garlic: Enhances the overall flavour with its robust aroma.
• Fennel Seeds: Reinforce the fennel flavour with a mild aniseed taste.
• Chilli Flakes: Add a hint of heat.
• White Wine: Deglazes the pan and adds acidity.
• Chicken Stock: Forms the base of the sauce, adding depth.
• Crème Fraîche (or Mascarpone): Adds creaminess and richness.
• Parmigiano Reggiano: Provides a salty, umami flavour.
• Dried Pasta: The foundation of the dish, perfect for soaking up the sauce.

The Underrated Fennel

Fennel is often overlooked due to its strong aniseed flavour, but when caramelised, it transforms into a sweet and tender vegetable that enhances any dish. Cooking fennel slowly allows it to release its natural sugars, creating a complex flavour profile that pairs wonderfully with the savoury sausage. Fennel is also packed with nutrients, making it a healthy addition to your meals. The fronds, which are the leafy green parts of the fennel bulb, are incredibly aromatic and can be used as a herb to garnish dishes. They have a more delicate flavour compared to the bulb and add a fresh, vibrant touch to the pasta.

If you’re feeling the fennel love, why not try one of my other fennel recipes, like my Roasted Fennel Agrodolce or Sausage and Fennel Risotto?

Fennel Fronds Crumb: A Delightful Garnish

The fennel fronds crumb is an optional but highly recommended topping that adds texture and flavour to the pasta. To make it, blitz day-old bread into coarse breadcrumbs using a food processor. Heat olive oil in a large sauté pan and cook the breadcrumbs until they are crisp and golden. Add chopped fennel fronds and cook for an additional minute. This crumb can be prepared in advance and stored for later use, adding a delightful crunch to the final dish. The combination of the crisp crumb with the soft pasta creates a wonderful contrast in textures.

Choosing the Right Sausage

Good-quality sausages are essential for this Caramelised Fennel and Sausage Pasta recipe. They add a rich, meaty flavour that complements the sweetness of the caramelised fennel. Opt for sausages with a high meat content and minimal fillers to ensure the best texture and taste. Once you remove the sausages from their casings, brown them and cook them through to add depth and a satisfying savouriness to the dish.

Caramelising the Fennel

Caramelising the fennel and onions is a crucial step that brings out their natural sweetness and enhances the overall flavour of the dish. Cook the fennel and onion slowly over medium heat, allowing them to soften and caramelise. This process can take around 30 minutes, but the result is a rich, sweet base that pairs perfectly with the sausage and other ingredients.

Adding Depth with White Wine

White wine is used to deglaze the pan after caramelising the fennel and onions. This step helps lift the brown bits stuck to the bottom of the pan, adding depth and complexity to the sauce. The wine also adds a subtle acidity that balances the richness of the sausage and crème fraîche. Use a good-quality white wine that you would enjoy drinking.

Creamy Crème Fraîche

Crème fraîche, or mascarpone, adds a luxurious creaminess to the sauce, making it rich and satisfying. It blends seamlessly with the chicken stock and white wine, creating a velvety texture that coats the pasta beautifully. For a slightly tangier flavour, opt for crème fraîche. If you prefer a milder taste, mascarpone is an excellent alternative.

Where to Shop

You should find all the ingredients for this Caramelised Fennel and Sausage Pasta recipe in your local supermarket. For the best ingredients, you can visit your local farmers’ market or specialty grocery store. Look for fresh fennel bulbs with vibrant fronds – this will make a significant difference in the flavour of the dish – and high-quality sausages.

Caramelised Fennel and Sausage Pasta is a comforting and flavourful dish that showcases the versatility of fennel. The combination of sweet, caramelised fennel, savoury sausage, and creamy sauce creates a satisfying meal that’s perfect for any occasion. Enjoy the rich flavours and comforting textures of this delightful pasta dish!