When time is short and you’re hungry, here is a quick dish I turn to over and over again – pasta with chicken sausage and tomatoes. Its takes no time at all. Serve with a salad and you have a healthy, fast and balanced dinner.
Pasta with Chicken Sausage and Tomatoes
The creativity of cooking is making dinner with what you have on hand. We all have days where we are are too busy or too tired to go to the store. That is where your pantry comes in. A well stocked pantry and a few fresh items on hand will save you.
With a basket of grape tomatoes from the farmers market, pasta in the pantry, fresh herbs in my backyard, and package of my favorite chicken sausage in the fridge, I can always put a good dinner together. This is one I have done for years and just never shared with you. So now, I am, in hopes it helps you.
Sausage Options
I always keep a package of fully-cooked chicken and turkey sausages in my fridge or freezer for quick meals. Chicken and turkey are lower in fat, high in protein, and taste terrific. I prefer Applegate Organics and Trader Joe's makes good options too. Just slice, brown, and enjoy. Toss with pasta or risotto for dinner or for breakfast with eggs. One link is usually enough per person.
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Pasta Options
I’ve tried many brands of gluten-free rice pasta. Some cook up mushy and fall apart. Some have an odd texture. Jovial is the best I've found. It tastes like and has the texture of regular pasta. You will never know the difference.
Lately I’ve also been cooking with olive oil from California Olive Ranch. I discovered their beautiful oils at a conference where they set up a tasting for attendees. Their oil was so fresh tasting and vibrant. I’ve been using the Everyday Oil for cooking. For more information on their oils, visit their website. Being a California girl, I just can’t resist good California olive oil.
With sausage in the fridge, pasta in the pantry, and my tomatoes and herbs, a quick dinner was possible.
Saute half an onion and some garlic in a little olive oil. Add sliced (or diced) tomatoes and a handful of fresh herbs and cook for a few minutes while the pasta boils and the sausage warms. Toss it all together and sprinkle with a little Parmesan if desire.
Add a side salad for green balance and you are ready to go, all in about 30 minutes or less.
📖 Recipe
Pasta with Chicken Sausage and Tomatoes
Ingredients
- 4 links fully-cooked chicken sausage
- 1 pint large grape tomatoes
- 1 small onion
- 3 large garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- 1 handful fresh chopped oregano or basil
- 8 ounces gluten-free spaghetti pasta
Garnish (optional)
- 4 ounces fresh grated Parmesan cheese
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Instructions
Boil water for pasta
- Put a large pot of water on to boil for the pasta. Cut the sausage links in half lengthwise, then crosswise into slices.
Prep and cook vegetables
- Wash tomatoes and cut lengthwise into quarters or slice crosswise into rings. Peel onion and roughly chop or slice into thin half moons. Finely chop or mince garlic.
- Heat olive oil in a large saute pan or skillet over medium heat until warm. Turn heat to low and add the onion and cook until soft, a few minutes. Don’t let it brown. Turn heat down if needed. Add the garlic and cook another 30 seconds. Add the tomatoes and allow then to cook until soft, a few more minutes. Add the sausage and heat through while the pasta cooks.
Finish dinner
- When the water boils, add the pasta and cook to box directions. When pasta is done, drain and divide between wide 4 bowls, then divide the sausage and tomatoes between the bowls. Add the fresh herbs and cheese. Serve while hot.
Madonna/aka/Ms. Lemon says
This looks fantastic. Pinning.