Apple, Sausage and Walnut Pasta

By courtneyepowell

Ingredients

• 2 large (8 oz ea) TruRoots Ancient Grain penne or 1 lb whole wheat penne
• 1/2 c walnuts
• 3 links (3 oz each) Italian chicken sausage, removed from casings
• 1 T all purpose flour
• 1 c low-sodium chicken broth
• 2 apples, diced into 1/2-in pieces
• 1 6-oz bag baby spinach
• 1/2 c grated Asiago cheese
• 1/2 t salt
• 1/4 t pepper

Preparation

Step 1

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to boiling. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
Meanwhile, add walnuts to a large nonstick sauté pan over med heat; toast 5 mins, stirring occasionally. Remove to a cutting board to cool, then roughly chop.
In same pan, add chicken sausage. Cook over med heat 5-7 mins, breaking apart with a wooden spoon, until browned. Stir in flour, cook 1 min. Add broth and bring to a simmer over med-high heat. Mix in apples and cook 2 mins. Stir in spinach until wilted. Mix in walnuts, Asiago, salt and pepper. Transfer to a bowl with pasta, stir to combine. Serve immediately.