Pasta Primavera with Italian Turkey Sausage

Ingredients and Weight:

• Penne pasta: 1 pound
• Italian turkey sausage: 1 pound
• Broccoli florets: 1 pound
• Zucchini, sliced: 1 pound
• Carrots, sliced: 1 pound
• Red onion, chopped: 1/2 cup
• Garlic, minced: 2 cloves
• Olive oil: 1/4 cup
• Spring onions (for garnish): 1/4 cup
• Salt and pepper: to taste
• Grated Parmesan cheese (for serving): 1/2 cup

Preparation Time:

• 15 minutes

Cooking Time:

• 30 minutes

Difficulty Level:

• 2 (Easy)

Preparation Method Steps:

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta according to package directions.
2. While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
3. Add the Italian turkey sausage and cook until browned, breaking it up into small pieces.
4. Add the broccoli, zucchini, carrots, red onion, and garlic to the skillet and sauté for 5-7 minutes or until the vegetables are crisp-tender.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Drain the pasta and add it to the skillet with the vegetables and sausage.
7. Stir to combine and cook for 2-3 minutes or until the pasta is heated through.
8. Garnish with spring onions and serve with grated Parmesan cheese.

Nutritional Information (1 serving):

• Calories: 450
• Protein: 25g
• Carbohydrates: 60g
• Fat: 15g

Dish Characteristics:

• Vibrant and colorful pasta dish packed with vegetables
• Italian flavors with the use of turkey sausage and vegetables
• Well-balanced meal with protein, carbohydrates, and fiber
• Suitable for vegetarians (without the turkey sausage)

User Comments:

• "This is the best pasta dish I've ever had. The vegetables were so crisp and flavorful."
• "I loved the use of Italian turkey sausage. It added a nice touch of spice."
• "This dish is perfect for summer. It's light and refreshing."
• "My kids loved it too! They ate all of their vegetables."
• "I made this with whole-wheat pasta and it was still delicious."

Special Precautions and Tips:

• If you are using fresh sausage, be sure to cook it thoroughly before adding it to the skillet.
• If you don't have spring onions, you can use regular onions instead.
• If you want a creamier sauce, you can add 1/2 cup of heavy cream to the skillet at the end of cooking.