Is fennel sausage the same as Italian sausage?

Sweet Italian sausage is the same as fennel sausage. Most all Italian sausage varieties will include some amount of fennel seasoning but a mild Italian sausage variation will have less fennel seeds in the recipe that a sweet or fennel sausage.

Is fennel sausage spicy?

Traditionally sausage with fennel is considered to be a mild sausage, it doesn't include red chili pepper flakes or cayenne pepper in a quantity to make it be considered spicy, fiery hot. However, it is heavily spiced with anise or a black licorice flavor.

Fennel Sausage Pasta - The Pasta Twins

Name: Fennel Sausage Pasta
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 16-ounce package rigatoni; 1 bulb fennel, thinly sliced; 1/2 onion, diced; 1 pound Italian sausage (sweet, mild or spicy), casings removed; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes; 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds, crushed; 1 14.5-ounce can fire-roasted diced tomatoes, with juice; 1/2 cup dry white wine; 1 cup half & half; 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley; Grated pecorino or parmesan cheese, for serving

Description

Fennel sausage pasta is a hearty and robust Italian-style pasta dish. It’s made with sweet Italian sausage in an aromatic tomato sauce that’s seasoned with fennel to bring out the beautiful and unique anise flavors in the savory Italian sausage.

Ingredients

Scale

1 16-ounce package rigatoni
1 bulb fennel, thinly sliced
1/2 onion, diced
1 pound Italian sausage (sweet, mild or spicy), casings removed
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds, crushed
1 14.5-ounce can fire-roasted diced tomatoes, with juice
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 cup half & half
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Grated pecorino or parmesan cheese, for serving

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Instructions

In a large pot of salted water, cook pasta to al denté following package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil and sauté fennel, onion, garlic and crushed red pepper flakes and crushed fennel seeds.
When fennel and onions have become translucent, add Italian sausage and cook until browned.
Stir in tomatoes, white wine and the half and half then reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer for 15 minutes.
Add cooked pasta and fresh parsley, stirring until well combined.
Garnish with grated pecorino romano and serve.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Rigatoni
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

Serving Size:
Calories: 311
Sugar: 5.6 g
Sodium: 256 mg
Fat: 5.9 g
Saturated Fat: 2 g
Carbohydrates: 50.7 g
Fiber: 2.9 g
Protein: 11 g
Cholesterol: 12.2 mg