Spicy Sausage Penne - Vegetarian Style!

This recipe is my go-to on busy nights because it has so much flavour but cooks fast, is easy and delicious!  Even Rob eats it (without my using "real" sausage!)

I loooooove Pampered Chef tools and this recipe comes from their "It's Good For You" healthy family recipes cookbook.

You'll need:


8 oz of uncooked penne pasta noodles
1 lb of hot italian turkey sausage (I use 4 TOFURKEY sausages as a replacement)
1 red, 1 green, 1 yellow and 1 orange bell pepper (each cut into strips)
1/2 cup of coarsely chopped onion
2 cloves of garlic (use the press for this)
1 can of diced tomatoes (I cheat even more and use the ones in italian spices)
1 8oz can of tomato sauce 
2 tsp of Italian seasoning
fresh grated parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. Cook the pasta according to the directions on the package.  Drain it and keep it warm.

2. While the pasta is cooking, get started on the sausage, cooking over medium heat (or medium high if using real sausage)...a few minutes for Tofurkey, or until lightly brown if real sausage.

NOTE: PC wants you to cook the sausage, then cut it into diagonal, 1 inch pieces, I actually cut the sausage first and then cook it...your choice!

3. Take the sausage out of the skillet and put in the bell peppers, onion  and garlic.  Cook over medium heat for about 6-8 minutes.  Add the sausage back into the skillet along with the tomatoes and tomato sauce and seasoning.  Cook and stir for another few minutes.

4. Place the warm pasta in a bowl and top it with the skillet sauce.  Divide among your plates and top with the fresh parmesan cheese...et VOILA!

Did I say it was simple or what?!!!  You'll see in my picture that I also add zucchini (because I love it!) to the recipe.  Just cook it at the same time as the bell peppers if you wish to do the same.

My mouth is watering and there are still a few hours until lunch...not good!

xoxo