Ingredients

3 tablespoons olive oil
1 lb fresh chicken sausage , removed from casing and crumbled or 1 lb smoked chicken sausage , diced
1 onion , chopped
1 tablespoon garlic , crushed
1 red bell pepper , chopped
1/2 lb mushroom , chopped
2 medium zucchini , diced
1 carrot , diced
2 cans diced tomatoes
1 can tomato sauce
1 tablespoon dried basil or 3 tablespoons fresh basil , chopped
2 teaspoons dried oregano
3 tablespoons fresh parsley , chopped
1/2 teaspoon hot pepper flakes , more to taste
salt and pepper
26 ounces dry penne pasta
Penne pasta with chunky garden sauce is a hearty and flavorful dish that is perfect for a weeknight dinner. The sauce is made with a variety of diced vegetables such as zucchini, mushroom, and red bell pepper. These vegetables are cooked in olive oil along with crumbled or diced chicken sausage to make a chunky and flavorful sauce that is served over cooked penne pasta. The dish is easy to make and can be customized to your liking by adding more vegetables or substituting the sausage for a lower calorie option.

Instructions

1.Cook penne pasta according to package directions, drain and set aside.
2.Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
3.Add the crumbled or diced chicken sausage and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through.
4.Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.
5.Add onion and garlic to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
6.Add the red bell pepper, mushroom, zucchini, and carrot to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes until vegetables are tender.
7.Add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, basil, oregano, parsley, hot pepper flakes, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer.
8.Add the sausage back to the skillet and stir to combine.
9.Simmer for 10-15 minutes until the sauce has thickened slightly.
10.Serve the sauce over the cooked penne pasta.

PROS

This dish is a great way to incorporate a variety of vegetables into your diet.
The chunky sauce is flavorful and hearty.

The dish is easy to make and can be prepared in under an hour.

CONS

The dish contains sausage, which can be high in sodium and fat.
If you are looking for a lower calorie option, you can substitute the sausage for turkey or chicken sausage.

The dish can be high in carbohydrates due to the pasta.
If you are on a low-carb diet, you should limit your portion size.

HEALTH & BENEFITS

This dish is a good source of dietary fiber, vitamin C, and vitamin A.
The vegetables in the sauce are nutrient-dense and can help improve digestion, boost immunity, and reduce inflammation.
Tomatoes are a good source of the antioxidant lycopene, which has been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease and cancer.

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