Yield: 8

Lightened Up Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta

Lightened Up Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta

This Lightened Up Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta is a family favorite pasta recipe! This dish is full of savory turkey or chicken sausage, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach and smothered in a delicious rich, cheesy tomato sauce-it's sure to be favorite at your house!

Author: thepounddropper.com

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. Jennie-O Italian turkey sausage or Isernios Itailan chicken sausage. I like to use chicken sausage since it's lower in points.
  • 1 small onion finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced or 1 Tbsp minced garlic
  • 1 tsp dried marjoram or oregano
  • 1/2 tsp salt 
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp dry rosemary
  • 1/4 tsp dried thyme
  • Pinch of crushed red pepper
  • 12 oz. uncooked penne pasta or whole grain penne: you could also use rigatoni, penne, ziti, rotini, elbow, medium shells, and/or cavatappi.
  • 3/4 cup low sodium chicken broth
  • 1 1/2 cups fat free half and half or unsweetened almond milk or skim milk mixed with 2 Tbsp non fat plain Greek yogurt 
  • 1/2 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes -not in oil
  • 4 cups baby spinach

Instructions

    1. Cook the pasta according to package instructions and drain well. Set aside.
    2. Spray a large skillet with non stick cooking spray, cook the ground turkey or chicken sausage. Add the onion and continue cooking until the sausage is browned and the onions are soft. Reduce the heat to low.  
    3. Stir in the garlic and dry seasonings and cook for another minute while stirring constantly. 
    4. Remove the sausage mixture from the skillet onto a large plate and set aside.
    5. Add the chicken broth and sun dried tomatoes to the same skillet and stir to ensure all the brown bits have been removed roll the bottom of the pan.
    6. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Let it reduce by about half.
    7. Turn the heat to low and stir in the fat free half and half, parmesan cheese, spinach and sausage mixture. 
    8. Continue cooking until the cheese is melted and the spinach is wilted. 
    9. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet. Stir until all ingredients have been incorporated.
    10. Continue cooking over low heat until the pasta dish is heated through.
    11. Enjoy!

    Makes 8 (1 cup) servings

    6 Points® per serving

Notes

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can freeze leftovers for up to 4 months.
  • Smartpoints: GREEN/BLUE: 8 smartpoints if using jennie-o turkey sausage or 6 smartpoints if using chicken sausage PURPLE: 3 smartpoints if using whole grain pasta and chicken sausage and 4 smartpoints if using whole grain pasta and ground Italian turkey sausage

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 334Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 43mgSodium: 453mgCarbohydrates: 42gNet Carbohydrates: 39gFiber: 3gSugar: 3gProtein: 20g