A simple, nourishing pasta dish featuring our pasture-raised Italian sausage—bringing warmth to dreary mud season days. Ready in under 30 minutes with minimal cleanup.

When the snow melts but spring hasn’t quite arrived, when boots are perpetually muddy and the skies stay gray, we all need simple comfort food that nourishes deeply without requiring hours in the kitchen.

This pasta has become our family’s mud season tradition—one of those humble but deeply satisfying meals that comes together effortlessly. Willa request it weekly, and I love that it uses ingredients we always have on hand, plus our premium-quality Italian sausage and eggs.

It’s my go-to when I’m tired from long days of farm chores but still want to feed my family something hearty, nourishing, and full of flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 pound Late Bloomer Ranch Italian sausage (or primal ground pork)
• 1/2 pound pasta of choice (orecchiette or fusilli work best)
• 2 farm eggs, room temperature
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Fresh herbs (parsley, thyme, or chives work beautifully)
• Salt and fresh cracked pepper
• Optional: Seasonal greens like spinach, kale, or early spring dandelion greens

Simple Instructions:

1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil for your pasta while you prepare the other ingredients.
2. In a large skillet, warm olive oil over medium heat. Add our pasture-raised Italian sausage, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks.
3. When the sausage is nearly browned, add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Meanwhile, cook pasta until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the starchy pasta water.
5. In a small bowl, whisk together eggs and Parmesan to create a smooth mixture.
6. Add drained pasta directly to the skillet with the sausage. If using greens, stir them in now until just wilted.
7. Remove the skillet from heat, then quickly add the egg-cheese mixture while stirring constantly (this prevents scrambling!). The residual heat will create a silky, rich sauce. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
8. Finish with extra black pepper, more grated cheese, and fresh herbs.

Why This Recipe Works for Mud Season

• Quick & comforting: Ready in the time it takes to boil pasta.
• One-pan cleanup: Because no one wants extra dishes in mud season.
• Nutrient-dense: Packed with protein, healthy fats, and essential vitamins to keep you going.
• So flavorful: Our Italian sausage gives this dish a warm, slightly spiced depth.
• Kid-approved: If my kids eat it without complaint, that’s a win.
• Uses pantry staples: No special grocery run needed.

Why Pasture-Raised Sausage Makes a Difference

Our pasture-raised Italian sausage is a far cry from what you’ll find in the grocery store. Slow-grown on pasture, without fillers or preservatives, it’s richer, more flavorful, and packed with essential nutrients like:

• High-quality protein & healthy fats → Supports hormone balance & energy levels
• Collagen & minerals from well-raised pork → Good for skin, joints, and gut health
• B Vitamins (especially B12 & B6) → Crucial for brain function & reducing stress

When you eat well-raised food, you feel the difference.

Make It Your Own

• Add preserved summer tomatoes if you have them.
• Toss in early spring greens for extra nutrition.
• For extra indulgence, finish with a dollop of cultured butter.

The best part? As you enjoy this meal, remind yourself that mud season doesn’t last forever—soon, your boots will be covered in spring grass instead.

Serving Suggestion:

Pair with a simple side salad or crusty bread. This pasta reheats beautifully for lunch the next day—just add a splash of broth or water when warming.

Storage Note:

This pasta will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors deepen overnight, making it even better as leftovers.

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