South Beach Style Pasta with Mushrooms, Spinach & Smoked Sausage

South Beach Diet Style Pasta with Mushrooms, Spinach & Smoked Sausage

Prep/Cook time: 20 minutes
Serves 4

Ingredients

5 oz/150 g multigrain penne (or any other short tubular pasta)
1 smoked turkey sausage, sliced (actually I used chorizo, which is pork and okay once in a while on South Beach, Phase II)
2-3 cups marinara sauce (I used my own Lazybones version)
2 cups cremini mushrooms, sliced
1-2 cloves garlic
2 cups baby spinach
½ tsp red chili pepper flakes (optional)
Grated parmesan cheese

Directions
1. Cook the pasta in boiling water with 1 tbsp salt. It should be al dente (about 7-8 minutes) and drain.

2. In the meantime, in a large skillet, heat the oil over medium high heat and sauté the sausage and mushrooms for about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, marinara sauce, spinach and chili pepper flakes and continue to cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, just until the spinach is wilted and the rest of the ingredients are heated through.

3. Place the drained pasta in a large serving bowl and ladle the sauce on top. Serve with Parmesan cheese and extra chili pepper flakes on the side and don’t forget to have a side salad.

Related links: Food and Drink Presto Pasta Nights Food Blogging Event Recipes Pasta South Beach Diet