Garden Fresh Sausage Pasta

Bursting with vibrant flavors and wholesome ingredients, Garden Fresh Sausage Pasta is a hearty, one-pan dish that brings the taste of the farmers' market straight to your table. This recipe pairs tender penne pasta with savory Italian sausage and a medley of fresh vegetables, including cherry tomatoes, zucchini, red bell pepper, and spinach. Finished with fragrant garlic, a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes for subtle heat, and a generous topping of Parmesan and basil, this quick and easy meal is perfect for busy weeknights. With just 15 minutes of prep and packed with garden-fresh produce, this pasta is as nutritious as it is delicious, making it a crowd-pleasing family favorite.

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 lb Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
• 12 oz Penne pasta
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 4 Garlic cloves, minced
• 2 cups Cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 large Zucchini, diced
• 1 medium Red bell pepper, diced
• 3 cups Spinach leaves, fresh
• 0.5 tsp Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 tsp Salt
• 0.5 tsp Black pepper
• 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
• 0.25 cup Fresh basil, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.

Step 2

While the pasta cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up into crumbles with a spatula, and cook until browned and fully cooked through, about 7-8 minutes. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.

Step 3

In the same skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

Step 4

Add the cherry tomatoes, zucchini, and red bell pepper to the skillet. Cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender and slightly caramelized.

Step 5

Stir in the fresh spinach leaves and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until wilted.

Step 6

Add the cooked sausage back into the skillet, along with the crushed red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and black pepper. Toss everything together to combine.

Step 7

Add the cooked pasta to the skillet. Stir well to coat the pasta in the vegetable and sausage mixture. If the dish seems dry, gradually add the reserved pasta water, a tablespoon at a time, until the desired consistency is reached.

Step 8

Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped basil.

Step 9

Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot, garnished with additional Parmesan and basil if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1859.1 grams (1859.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3296

Total Fat 165.90g	213%
Saturated Fat 58.00g	290%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 362mg	121%
Sodium 7442mg	324%
Total Carbohydrate 299.00g	109%
Dietary Fiber 27.50g	98%
Total Sugars 18.10g
Protein 166.10g	332%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1888mg	145%
Iron 28mg	153%
Potassium 4707mg	100%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 44.5%

Protein: 19.8%

Carbs: 35.7%