Description
A quick and flavorful one-pan dish featuring savory chicken sausages sautéed with fresh zucchini and cherry tomatoes, tossed with perfectly cooked penne pasta, and finished with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for a deliciously satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Proteins
- 4 chicken sausages (Italian or spicy), sliced
Vegetables
- 1 medium zucchini, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Carbohydrates
- 12 ounces short pasta (penne or fusilli)
Seasonings & Others
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Parmesan cheese, optional (for sprinkling)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 9-11 minutes depending on package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Brown the sausages: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add sliced chicken sausages and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are browned and heated through.
- Sauté vegetables: Add the minced garlic, diced zucchini, and halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet with the sausages. Cook for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are softened but still retain some texture.
- Season the mixture: Sprinkle Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper over the contents of the skillet. Stir gently to combine the flavors evenly.
- Toss pasta with sausage and vegetables: Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss everything together for 2-3 minutes to fully incorporate the flavors and warm the pasta.
- Serve and garnish: Transfer the pasta mixture to serving plates. If desired, sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top before serving for added richness and flavor.
Notes
- Use chicken sausages with your preferred level of spice or flavor for customization.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken sausages with plant-based sausages or sautéed mushrooms.
- Reserve some pasta cooking water to adjust the sauce consistency if needed.
- Fresh herbs like basil or parsley can be added for extra freshness.
- Parmesan cheese is optional but enhances the dish’s richness.
