- 1 pound fully-cooked smoked beef sausage, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch thick slices
- 8 ounces uncooked orecchiette or medium shell pasta
- 1 (16 ounce) jar Alfredo Sauce
- 1 (15.5 ounce) can Great Northern or other white beans, rinsed and drained
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- Pepper
- 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
- Fresh basil sprigs (optional)
- Cook pasta according to package directions; drain.
- Meanwhile place beef sausage in large skillet; add just enough water to cover bottom of skillet. Cook, uncovered, over medium heat about 7 minutes or until sausage browns slightly, stirring occasionally. Pour off drippings. Remove and reserve 5 or 6 slices of sausage.
- Add Alfredo sauce, beans and chopped basil to skillet; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 5 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Combine pasta and sausage mixture in serving dish, tossing lightly. Sprinkle with pepper, as desired, and pine nuts. Top with reserved sausage slices. Garnish with basil sprigs, if desired.