Whole Wheat Pesto Pasta with Chicken Sausage and Veggies
A delicious and nutrient-packed pasta dish designed to fuel your body and support muscle growth. This recipe combines lean chicken sausage, fiber-rich whole wheat pasta, and vibrant vegetables, all tossed in a flavorful pesto sauce for a wholesome and satisfying meal.
Preparation
1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the whole wheat pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
2
While the pasta cooks, slice the chicken sausage into rounds. Chop the onion, mince the garlic, and cut the broccoli florets and bell pepper into bite-sized pieces. Halve the cherry tomatoes.
3
Heat olive oil in a large skillet or pan over medium-high heat. Add the sliced chicken sausage and cook until lightly browned, about 3-5 minutes. Remove sausage from the pan and set aside.
4
In the same skillet, add the chopped onion, broccoli, and bell pepper. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until vegetables start to tender-crisp.
5
Stir in the minced garlic and halved cherry tomatoes. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until fragrant and tomatoes slightly soften.
6
Return the cooked chicken sausage to the skillet with the vegetables. Add the cooked and drained pasta.
7
Stir in the basil pesto, adding a splash of the reserved pasta water as needed to create a creamy sauce that coats all ingredients.
8
Fold in the fresh spinach and cook until just wilted. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve hot.
Nutrational Values per serving
142
kcal
7g
protein
16g
carbs
6g
fat