6.06.2010

multi-grain penne with spinach and sweet italian sausage

I happened to catch a bit of the Today Show a couple of days ago and they had a chef on there talking about meals on a budget. He was demonstrating just how possible it really was to feed a family of 4-5 people with 1/2 lb of meat at dinnertime.

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One of the recipes that caught my eye was a penne with broccoli raab and sweet Italian sausage. After hunting around at two or three stores for broccoli raab, I finally gave up and settled for spinach.

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I have to say, this is quick and easy and full of nice flavor! It's the perfect meal for a tight budget and/or if you just need something fast but still delicious for dinner...or even lunch!

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I love the way the penne scoops up and holds some the meat, garlic, cheese and spinach inside. Yum!

I will be working at the farmer's market with Cathy on Saturday and will be on the lookout for broccoli raab. This recipe is most definitely worth making again!

Multi-Grain Penne with Spinach and Sweet Italian Sausage
recipe adapted from the Today Show

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp chopped garlic
1/2-1 lb ground sweet Italian sausage
pinch of red pepper flakes, if desired
2-3 cups chopped fresh spinach
1 lb penne (I used Barilla Plus multi-grain penne), cooked according to directions on box

Parmesan cheese and cracked black pepper for garnish (I left out the pepper because my kids aren't big fans.)

Saute the garlic in the olive oil for a minute or two. Add the sausage and red pepper flakes and brown completely. Add the chopped spinach and penne. Stir to combine. Garnish with Parmesan and cracked pepper.

Serve warm with some nice crusty bread for a terrific quick, cheap and easy anytime meal!

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36 comments:

Jeannie said...

This looks like a winner in my sons' opinion. They love italian food. Lovely photos as usual!

Angie's Recipes said...

A very yummy and healthy pasta dish...not sure what the sweet Italian sausage is...

Jo said...

This sounds so good. I make a similar dish but I love how this is done with fewer ingredients and working within a budget. I'm growing broccoli rabe for the first time in my garden. Perhaps I can make this with own harvest ~ I'm not promising anything ;)

Jo

pigpigscorner said...

I love pasta with sausages! So yummy!

ck said...

This looks really good. I always forget that I can break up sausage for meals like this. (And I'm Italian too - shame on me!)

Faith said...

This pasta dish looks fantastic! Italian sausage, spinach, and parmesan cheese make such a delicious combo!

Judy said...

I think spinach is a very nice substitute for the broccoli rabe. This looks delicious.

Tan said...

My family loves this recipe.

Kim said...

Working at the farmer's market sounds like lots of fun. Hope you were able to find the broccoli rabe.
I love the penne with spinach and sausage. I bet your family happily scarfed it up:)

TKW said...

This looks delicious and easy! Sometimes, in my grocery store, they sell broccoli raab as chinese broccoli or broccolini? It gets very confusing.

Katy ~ said...

Kim, what a wonderful meal for the weeknight or those busy weekends. Fast, nutritious, delicious and filling. Big YUMS up! Love the addition of spinach!

tasteofbeirut said...

It is a good and easy pasta dish! I think I might even prefer it with the spinach!

Unknown said...

Wow, with so little ingredients it looks awesome!

Reeni said...

This is right up my ally! Delicious, hearty and very comforting!

Randi Troxell said...

this looks wonderful.. bet it is!!

Julie said...

Sounds and looks so yummy. I always get annoyed when I can't find the ingredients I want, but looks like the spinach worked out great :)

Debbie said...

Now that sounds great. And I do love pasta.

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

Pasta does go a long way to stretch a meal:D

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

Sounds delicious as usual. I could so go for past right now!

Joanne said...

I think pasta dishes are the perfect way to decrease the meat without noticing! Also substituting it with extra veggies...that's my favorite way to go. I love this dish! pasta with broccoli rabe is one of my favorite dishes ever but spinach is a great substitute.

Velva said...

This dish is proof that with a little planning you can stretch a food dollar without sacrificing quality or taste.
This is a great dish. Love it.

sweetlife said...

pasta is a great way to stretch your money,but can be so tasty..I love this and I think i would also prefer the spinach

sweetlife

jacqueline said...

WOW this looks so yummie!! I love penne, spinach and italian sausages! I will have to try this out over the weekend when my tummy is feeling much better! Have a lovely merry happy week and love to yoU!

Unknown said...

Budget or not, it looks like a great dinner!
*kisses* HH

Jenn said...

I'm digging this quite a lot right about now. I'm trying to get into multi-grain pastas instead of using the regular kind.

Juliana said...

Kim, nice pasta dish...all in one :-)

Molly Anne said...

I am completely stuffed from dinner yet this looks so good! A friend of mine is always making pasta somethingorother, I will send her the link! Or maybe I'll just make it for her the next time she comes over. :)

Chef Dennis Littley said...

now that is a perfect pasta dish....spinach and sausage with a sprinkle of cheese.....
thanks so much for sharing

♥peachkins♥ said...

lovely pasta dish!


The Peach Kitchen
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Barbara said...

What a simple and delicious pasta dish. I started using whole wheat pasta a couple years ago and really prefer the nutty taste, don't you?
Super combo with the Italian sausage and I confess I much prefer my pasta to be dressed like this rather than red sauce all over it!

Donna-FFW said...

HI Kim- Looks fantastic, I make a similiar dish and add sun dried tomatoes.. Broccoli rabe is bitter to my taste, I prefer spinach:)

clearlytangled said...

looks great! i sometimes make a similar dish, although i typically use sweet italian turkey sausage. also delicious.

Delicious Dishings said...

Broccoli rabe isn't very good anyways. It falls into that category of bitter greens I really don't like. Spinach is a great substitution! I tend to make pastas with sweet Italian sausage more than any other meat. Love the flavor.

FOODESSA said...

Is it any wonder why a pasta dish is so popular?
This kind of tasty versatility is proof that anyone can eat at home!
Fresh and flavourful ingredients like the ones used in your recipe are simply very appetizing!
Thanks for sharing and flavourful wishes,
Claudia

Ma What's 4 dinner said...

Perfect summer dish. Light and healthy as far as a pasta dish goes. I love it. My kids'll love it.

Lots of yummy love,
Alex aka Ma, What's For Dinner
www.mawhats4dinner.com

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

This is a scrummy pasta dish! Healthy too.

Cheers,

Rosa

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