RECIPES: CREAMY SPINACH & SAUSAGE PASTA

Creamy Spinach & Sausage Pasta

Ingredients

 6 oz. smoked sausage

1 Tbsp olive oil

1 medium onion

1 (14.5 oz.) can diced tomatoes w/ chiles

2 cups chicken broth

8 oz. pasta

3 cups fresh spinach

1 cup (4 oz.) shredded Monterrey jack

1 whole green onion

Directions:

• Thinly slice the smoked sausage and add it to a large skillet with 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
• Sauté the sausage over medium heat until it is nicely browned (about 5-7 minutes).Drain off the excess fat. Dice the onion and add it to the skillet.
• Continue to sauté until the onion has softened (about 5 minutes).
• Add the can of diced tomatoes with chiles and the chicken broth. 
• Stir to combine and dissolve any browned bits off of the bottom of the skillet.
• Add the uncooked pasta to the skillet and make sure it is all submerged under the liquid.
• Place a lid on the skillet and allow the mixture to come up to a boil. Once it reaches a boil, turn the heat down to low and let it simmer for about ten minutes, or until the pasta is tender.
• Stir once or twice while the pasta cooks to keep it from sticking.
• Stir in the fresh spinach, one cup at a time, until wilted.
• If you add it all at once, the skillet will be too full to stir.
• Keep the heat on while adding the spinach, so the liquid will continue to simmer and thicken.
• Sprinkle the shredded cheese on top, replace the lid, and let it sit for a few minutes, or until the cheese is melted. Slice the green onions and sprinkle them over top. Serve hot!