It has been so cold here and tonight we are expecting some snow and sleet. Lately, I have been craving the typical winter comfort foods of soup, stew and pasta. But who says comfort foods can’t be healthy? In this pasta dish, I use turkey sausage, tomatoes, spinach and chicken broth to make a nice sauce. I also always make whole wheat pasta. This pasta is the flax seed kind purchased from Trader Joes. The best thing is that you can have dinner on the table in under 30 minutes.
Penne with Turkey Sausage and Spinach
16 ounces whole wheat penne pasta
1 TBS olive oil
1 lb hot Italian turkey sausage links, cut in bite size pieces
3 cloves garlic, sliced thin
1 medium tomato, chopped
10 oz package frozen spinach, defrosted
1 1/2 cups low sodium chicken broth
2 TBS chopped fresh basil
salt and pepper to taste
Parmesan cheese for serving
Boil pasta in a large pot of water according to package directions. Drain and keep warm. In the meantime, heat olive oil on medium high heat and cook sausage for about 5 to 7 minutes or until no longer pink. Add garlic, tomatoes and spinach. Cook for 5 minutes or until vegetables are wilted. Add broth and bring to a simmer. Cook for a few minutes or until sauce is thickened. Add basil and toss the mixture with the pasta. Add salt and pepper to taste. Mix well and serve tossed with Parmesan cheese. Makes 4 to 6 servings.
{ 35 comments… read them below or add one }
Yay for healthy pasta! And I love turkey sausage – it makes anything feel indulgent without being that bad for you.
I love this! A perfect warm comforting meal!
It is cold here too! I need something like this to warm me up!
This looks great. I love pasta dishes!
Yum, that looks soooo comforting!
We are supposed to get quite a bit of snow, boo. But I have some soup ready for tomorrow, so I am ready!
love this combo
This sounds like just the ticket for this freezing weather.
Sounds super healthy with spinach and turkey.Its snows almost every week in winter here,looks like a winder wonderland:)
A perfect meal for a winter night.
I love sausage and pasta! I’m sooo ready for spring to arrive!
Sounds like it has been very cold in your parts lately! Stay warm. I love the whole wheat pastas. I’m thankful that TJ’s carries some of that good stuff at a good price too. Looks like a yummy, healthy pasta dish!
That turkey sausage and spinach look so tasty!
Wow the pasta with the sausages looks so delicious.
This dish looks like something I would so enjoy. And such healthy ingredients!! It looks so inviting!
You just gave me a great idea! Next time I make homemade pasta I’ll add some ground flax seed! Stay warm Lisa!
That looks like a delicious dinner. And I love it took 30 minutes!
Just perfect, really!! We’re being pounded once again w/the snow here too, and your dish sounds like the fix for today
This is a warm and comfy meal for a cold night.
I love pasta recipes. This one is a keeper!
mmmm I am all about the healthy pasta dishes lately and yours looks AWESOME! What kind of turkey sausage do you use (did I miss this??).
I have been on a pasta kick lately. Looks great!
Sounds like the perfect meal to warm everyone up!
That does look yummy. That storm out on the East Coast sounds awful
Love pasta dishes like this! – John
What a tasty and healthy pasta dish. Looks great Lisa.
I love how warm and healthy this dish is… perfect for this cold winter we are having!
It is just downright dreary here, and I want to go curl up on the sofa with a bowl of this right now!
I think the worst parts of pasta is the mounds of cheese I put on it. Yours is definitely healthy, with just a sprinkle of parm!
Lisa, its cold here too in the UK brrrr. I couldn’t agree with you more, comfort food is definitely something we all welcome in winter. Your warming pasta looks perfect!
Maria
x
Oh that pasta looks like it would really hit the spot. I wish I had a plate of it for dinner tonight!!
This would make any chilly night better.
Our weather has been so strange, warm and sunny during the day and colder than ever at night. I need a nice warm pasta dish to deal with the cold!
This looks really good Lisa, my family would definetly like this.
Oh I love this such a warm and comforting meal!
Rosie x
This looks delicious. I’m all about pasta!