Description
A bright and savory chicken sausage pasta dish that’s quick to prepare, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces penne pasta (about 225 g)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound chicken sausage, sliced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Fresh basil, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced chicken sausage and cook until browned on both sides, about 4–5 minutes. Push the sausage to one side of the skillet.
- Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the open side of the skillet. Sauté until translucent and fragrant, about 2–3 minutes. Add the chopped bell pepper and cook until just tender, about 3–4 minutes.
- Stir in the halved cherry tomatoes and cook until they begin to soften, about 1–2 minutes. Add the fresh spinach and Italian seasoning. Stir until the spinach is wilted and season with salt and pepper. If the skillet looks dry, add a splash of the reserved pasta water.
- Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss to combine. If needed, add more reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce so everything coats the noodles. Remove from heat and sprinkle with grated Parmesan and fresh basil if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free penne. Feel free to substitute chicken sausage with any pre-cooked version you prefer.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Italian