Italian Sausage Marinara with Penne

By ezunich

Ingredients

• 1 pkg (19 1/2 oz) Italian turkey sausage links, cut into 1/2 inch slices
• 3 small zucchini, cut into 1/2 in slices
• 1 medium yellow pepper, julienned
• 1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
• 2 tbs olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 cup dry red wine or reduced sodium chicken broth
• 1 can (28 oz) Italian crushed tomatoes
• 1 can (14 1/2 oz) fire-roasted diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 4 1/2 tsp Louisiana style hot sauce
• 3 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 4 cups uncooked whole wheat penne pasta

Preparation

Step 1

1. In a Dutch oven, saute sausage until no longer pink;drain. Remove and set aside. In the same pan, saute the zucchini, pepper and mushrooms in oil until tender. Add garlic, cook 1 minute longer. Add wine, stirring to loosen browned bits from pan.

2. Add the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, cheese, hot sauce, Italian seasoning, sugar and salt. Stir in sausage. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat;simmer, uncovered, for 1 hour or until slightly thickened.

3. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Serve with sauce.