Spicy Sausage and Tomato Pasta

Recipe Information

Total Time: 30 minutes; 20 minutes active | Servings: 8

Italian sausage and fresh basil give this easy pasta dish tons of Italian flavor without a lot of effort for the cook. If you like a little heat, go with hot sausage, or if you prefer milder fare, use mild sausage and skip the red pepper flakes. Crumbled chevre adds creamy, tangy notes to contrast with the sweet and spicy sauce.

Ingredients

• 12 ounces medium pasta shells
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 12 ounces Italian sausage
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 2 cups grape tomatoes, halved
• 1 small zucchini, thinly sliced
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup fresh basil, sliced into ribbons
• 4 ounces crumbled chevre

Preparation

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil over medium heat. Cook pasta according to package directions, drain and reserve.
2. In a large, deep sauté pan over medium-high heat, drizzle 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, then crumble in the sausage. Stir and sprinkle with pepper flakes. Stir and scrape until the sausage is browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the white wine, grape tomatoes, zucchini and salt, and stir. Bring to a boil, stirring until the vegetables are softened and the liquid is syrupy, about 5 minutes. Stir in the pasta and toss to coat and heat through.
4. Serve sprinkled with basil and chevre.

Serving Suggestion

Serve with a crisp green salad.

Nutritional Information

360 calories, 22 g. fat, 70 mg. cholesterol, 540 mg. sodium, 27 g. carbohydrate, 4 g. fiber, 14 g. protein