Italian Recipes - Pasta with Spinach and Sausage

Ingredients       

• 4 ounces sweet or hot Italian sausage links (remove casings, if present)

• 1 large leek, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices

• 1 teaspoon bottled minced garlic (2 cloves)

• 1 teaspoon olive oil

• 2/3 cup chicken broth

• 1/2 cup roasted red sweet peppers, drained and cut into thin, bite-size strips

• 8 cups torn fresh spinach

• 6 ounces dried bow-tie pasta

• 1/4 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese (1 ounce)

• 1 tablespoon dried basil, crushed

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Method:

1. Cut sausage lengthwise into quarters. In a skillet cook sausage over medium-high heat until cooked through. Drain off fat. Slice sausage into 1/4-inch pieces.

2. In a large skillet cook leek and garlic in hot olive oil until leek is tender. Stir in sausage, chicken broth, and roasted red peppers. Bring to boiling; reduce heat.

3. Add spinach. Cook, stirring frequently, for 1 to 2 minutes or just until spinach starts to wilt. Remove from heat.

4. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions, except omit any oil or salt; drain. Return pasta to hot saucepan. Add spinach mixture, Parmesan cheese, and basil. Toss to coat. Serve immediately.