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PENNE WITH SAUSAGE AND PEPPERS
BUDGET-FRIENDLY: For a low-cost, good-tasting meal, try penne with sausage and peppers. Serve it with a spinach salad and Italian bread. Fresh pineapple is your dessert.
Ingredients
1 pound penne pasta 12 ounces mild or hot Italian turkey sausage (remove casing)
1 teaspoon olive oil
3 green bell peppers, thinly sliced
1 medium onion, thinly sliced 2 teaspoons minced garlic 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes with basil
1/4 teaspoon coarse salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Servings: makes 8 servings
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: about 20 minutes, plus pasta
Cook pasta according to directions. Meanwhile, cook sausage in a large nonstick skillet on medium for 5 minutes or until browned and crumbly. Remove to a plate. Add oil, peppers and onion to skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes or until lightly browned. Push vegetables aside in skillet; add garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant. Add sausage, tomatoes, salt and pepper; stir to combine. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer 10 minutes. Drain pasta; transfer to a large serving bowl and add sauce. Toss to mix and serve.
Per serving: 338 calories, 15 grams protein, 6 grams fat (15 percent calories from fat), 1.4 grams saturated fat, 54 grams carbohydrate, 36 milligrams cholesterol, 778 milligrams sodium, 3 grams fiber.
Carb count: 3.5.