Pesto Cellentani with Smoked Sausage and Mushrooms

If you're looking for a quick, easy dish that takes less then 30 minutes to make and is absolutely delicious this is something to try!  I used to go to Noodles and Company and get their Pesto Cavatappi all the time, but it was super expensive, so I've been trying to figure out my own recipe for it for years, tweaking it and changing things around.

What you will need:

• 1lb of sliced mushrooms
• 4 Roma tomatoes halved and quartered
• 1 package of firm or extra firm tofu
• 1lb of Cellentani pasta
• Two packages of smokes sausage/turkey etc... (whichever you prefer)
• Salt/Pepper/Oil/Garlic Powder/Red Pepper Flakes
• Shredded parmesan cheese
• Homemade Pesto



  

I start out by boiling salted water.  Once it gets to a rolling boil  throw the pasta in.  While the pasta is boiling, take a separate pan and heat up some oil and a tablespoon of butter and start cutting up your tofu into small squares then put it in the pan with some red pepper flakes, garlic powder, salt and pepper (to taste) and start browning  them and making the tofu slightly crispy on the outside.

Once the tofu is browned take it out of the pan and put it on a paper towel to let the oil drain.

While the tofu is draining the oil, use the same pan and put a little more oil and a tablespoon of butter in the pan, once melted then add the mushrooms with a sprinkle of salt.  Once the mushrooms are browned add the tomatoes, sliced smoked sausage and pesto.  (I make my own pesto so I add about 3-4 ice cube squares)  Once the pesto is in the pan keep stirring  until its melted and mixed thoroughly with the rest of the ingredients.

By the time you get to this point, the pasta should be done, but check it periodically while cooking so it doesn't overcook.  Once done, strain and put back into the pot it was boiling in and add the tofu.

Once all of the ingredients are warmed through take all of the ingredients in the pan and pour them in with the pasta and tofu mix and fold everything together until mixed through.  When it's done put some in a bowl with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese on top and enjoy!!