penne with sausage, spinach, chilies, lemon

Penne with Sausage, Spinach, Chiles & Lemon
{my favorite new recipe this spring}

Serves 4-6

Ingredients

1 lb. penne rigate pasta
1 tsp salt
3 tbsp. olive oil
1 lb. bulk pork sausage
1 small onion, finely chopped
4 oz can diced green chilies
2 cloves garlic, chopped
12 grape tomatoes cut in quarters
Lemon zest from 1 lemon
1 tsp. dried oregano
1 bunch spinach
Juice from 1 lemon
1 cup crumbled feta or ricotta salata

Preparation

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil for the pasta. Salt the boiling water and add the pasta. Cook until al dente (about 11 minutes). Drain, reserving about 3/4 cup starchy cooking water.

2. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high. Add the sausage and cook, stirring and breaking up with a spoon, until browned, 5 to 6 minutes. Add the onion, chilies, garlic, tomatoes, lemon zest and oregano. Cook, stirring often, until the onion softens, about 3 minutes.

4. Add the starchy water and spinach to the sausage mixture; stir; remove from the heat. Toss in the pasta, cheese, and lemon juice.