Sausage and Pepper Penne

As mentioned previously, I've been making a few recipes from a cookbook my mom got me some time ago titled The Pampered Chef: It's good for You.  With the exception of a soup that turned out to taste quite disgusting (a greek soup with lemon), the recipes have worked out quite nicely.  They are all fairly easy to make and like the title suggests, they are good for you!  This recipe took about 30 minutes to make and it worked pretty nicely.  I wouldn't exactly call this a recipe to prepare if you are trying to impress guests, but it certainly works for a quick weeknight meal.  The spicy sausage added a kick to the pasta.  One thing worth noting is that it did not keep really well because the sauce was on the pasta (you can easily save that step and keep them separate).  By the next day, the pasta was a bit mushy but it was still edible.  :)  Serve this up with some bread and a side salad.  Dinner will be ready in 30 minutes or less!

Sausage and Pepper Penne
Pampered Chef:  It's Good for You
Yield:  4-6 servings
Ingredients

• 8 ounces uncooked penne pasta
• 1 pound hot italian turkey sausage (about 4 links) (You can also use a spicy chicken sausage that is precooked and simply reheat it in the skillet per the directions in Step 2.)
• 1 each:  medium green, red and yellow bell pepper, cut into 1/4 inch strips
• 1/2 cup coarsely chopped onion
• 2 garlic cloves, pressed
• 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes in sauce, undrained
• 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
• 2 tsp italian season
• 1/4 cup (1 ounce) grated fresh Parmesan cheese

Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and keep warm.
2. Meanwhile, cook sausage in a skillet over medium-high heat 14-16 minutes or until sausage is lightly browned and no longer pink, turning occasionally.  Remove sausages from skillet; cut diagonally into 1-inch pieces and set aside.  
3. In same skillet, cook bell peppers, onion and garlic over medium heat 6-8 minutes or until peppers are crisp-tender, stirring occasionally.  Add sausage, tomatoes, tomato sauce and seasoning mix.  Cook and stir 1-2 minutes or until heated through.
4. Place pasta in large bowl; pour sauce mixture over pasta, tossing to coat.  Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and serve immediately.