pasta fagiolini and italian sausage

Pasta Fagiolini and Italian Sausage

{serves 4-5}

{pictured with bowtie pasta}

{photo credit Publix}

Ingredients 
8 oz farfalle bow tie (or penne) pasta
1 lb mild Italian sausage, casing removed
3 green onions sliced
1 clove garlic minced
2 oz sun-dried tomato
1  8-oz green beans cook-in-bag
½ cup toasted slivered almonds
1 cup shredded Italian cheese blend (mozzarella/provolone)
1/3 cup Marzetti Simply Dressed Vinaigrette lemon dressing

Steps
Cook green beans in bag following microwave instructions.  Let stand 5 minutes to cool. Cut beans into bite-size pieces.
Bring water to boil for pasta. Cook pasta following package instructions.
Preheat large, nonstick sauté pan on medium-high. Cook sausage 6–8 minute. Drain and transfer to large serving bowl.
In same pan sauté onion, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes for 5 minutes.
Drain pasta, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water
To sausage in bowl add: pasta, pasta water, onion, garlic, tomatoes, cheese, almonds, and dressing.
Toss to coat and serve warm.

{adapted from a Publix Aprons recipe}

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.