Penne with Walnuts & Italian Sausage

1. For pasta, in large saute pan over medium heat, heat olive oil. Add sausage, breaking up pieces and stirring 5 minutes, or until browned and cooked through.

2. Stir in walnuts, onion, carrots and garlic; cook 3 minutes longer. Deglaze the pan with chicken stock and cook until reduced by half.

3. Meanwhile, cook the penne in boiling, salted water for 7 to 8 minutes or until cooked about three-quarters of the way through. Drain penne and add to sausage mixture in saute pan. Reduce heat and simmer 4 minutes longer.

4. For walnut panko topping, heat butter and olive oil in a separate saute pan over medium-high heat. Add panko and walnuts; saute, stirring constantly for 4 minutes until breadcrumbs turn a golden brown. Remove from heat and stir in lemon zest.

5. To serve, top pasta with breadcrumb mixture.

Photo courtesy of California Walnuts