Chicken Sausage, Spinach, Peas and Parmesan Cheese Pasta

This quick dinner is perfect for the whole family. Even if you eat at separate times, the “topping” can be made once and then added to hot pasta at separate times. The most time consuming step is waiting for the pasta to cook.

Serves 4

2 tbsp olive oil (plus more for drizzling)

4 nitrate-free Chicken Sausage (like Applegate Chicken and Apple)

1 cup whole wheat shells

1 cup macaroni

4 cups fresh baby spinach

1 cup green peas (frozen work well)

1/4 cup grated parmesan

salt and pepper

Boil water for pasta in medium saucepan. While water is boiling, heat oil in medium size skillet over medium high heat about 1 minute. While oil is heating up, slice each chicken sausage into about 10 rings. Add chicken sausage to skillet and cook until brown (about 4 min - many are pre-cooked - so you are really just browning them). Turn occasionally.

While sausage is cooking, add pasta to boiling water. Cook according to directions for al dente - about 8 minutes.

Wash baby spinach in colander. Add spinach to sausage. Add peas to mixture. Cook together about 2 - 3 minutes until spinach is wilted and peas are warmed through.

Add sausage and vegetable mixture to pasta.

Add parmesan cheese, drizzle of olive oil, salt and pepper to taste. For younger children who like foods separate, consider serving pasta next to sausage and vegetable mixture.