Mango Chicken Sausage Pasta

This is a simple dish you can throw together on a busy weeknight. The sausage and pasta has plenty of protein and whole wheat deliciousness. The spinach will give this dish a bright fresh flavor, plus a good boost of iron and calcium!

Mango Chicken Sausage Pasta
      about 3 servings

• 1 cup of whole wheat penne pasta
• 3 sausages
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons EVOO
• 1/4 to 1/3 cup (or more, if you'd like) traditional marinara sauce
• a few big handfuls of fresh spinach

Preparation and Cooking Instructions

Boil and heavily salt your water. While you're waiting on the water, prep the rest of your ingredients. If your spinach is looking a little sad, pop it into a bowl of lemon ice water and it will refresh your greens. I hadn't cooked the sausage in a while and I forgot because it was pre-cooked you can slice it before you throw it in the pan. I definitely recommend slicing it first or it will burn easily. If you're using raw meat, then leave it in the casing and cook it before you slice it so it doesn't fall apart.

In a small skillet saute the sliced chicken sausage in a tablespoon of EVOO, so it doesn't burn, and brown it up nicely on all sides. Cook pasta until al dente, drain, and return to pot. Toss in the sausage, another tablespoon or two of oil, and your remaining ingredients. Cook over low heat for a few minutes to finish the pasta and combine the flavors.

Serve up and enjoy! If it's not too cold where you are, this would be delicious with a nice crisp salad ^_^