Pasta You'll Want to Splurge On: How to Make Penne With Saffron & Sausage! by Erica Kane

Saffron may be a little pricey, but after you taste this pasta dish, you won't regret a single penny! 

You'll need:

• 1 teaspoon saffron threads
• olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh or dried thyme, chopped
• 1 1/4 pounds sweet Italian turkey sausage
• 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 1 pound pasta (rigatoni, penne, gluten-free)
• salt and pepper
• parsley
• Parmesan cheese

Here’s how to make it:

1. In large, nonstick pan, heat olive oil. Sauté chopped onions with thyme, salt and pepper.
2. Once onion is soft, about 6 minutes, add sausage and break up as it cooks, another 6 minutes.
3. Add cream, saffron threads and a generous pinch of salt. Bring to a rolling simmer and cook until slightly reduced. Cover and let sit. (Let it sit until cool and then bring it back to a simmer before serving. It lets the sauce settle.)
4. When ready to eat, bring a pot of water to boil and cook pasta until al dente. Mix sauce into pasta and top with grated Parmesan cheese and parsley.