Pasta with Broccoli and Chicken Sausage

(Photo courtesy of Parents Magazine)

Rating: A
Makes 4 Servings


Nutrition-  380 calories, 18g protein; 12g fat (3g sat. fat); 52g carbs: 6g fiber; 99mg calcium; 4mg iron; 664mg sodium

Recipe:

Ingredients-
           4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
           4 cups water
           8 oz whole-wheat rotini pasta
           1 1lb bag broccoli florets
           1 Tbs extra-virgin olive oil
           2 links (6oz) cooked chicken
                sausage with Italian flavorings,
                sliced
           1 tsp. finely shredded lemon peel
           2 Tbs freshly squeezed lemon juice
           Salt to taste
           Grated Parmesan cheese

Directions-
Bring chicken broth and the water to a boil in a large pot.  Add the pasta and cook according to package directions.

Four to six minutes before the pasta is finished, add the broccoli to the pot.

Just before draining, reserve 1 cup of the cooking liquid.  Drain and return the pasta and broccoli to the pot.

White the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Saute the sausage slices until lightly browned, 2 to 3 minutes.

Add the sausage and any olive oil in the pan to the drained pasta mixture.  Stir in the lemon peel, lemon juice, salt, and enough of the reserved cooking liquid to moisten. 

Served topped with a sprinkling of grated cheese.

Source: Parents Magazine, September 2011

NOTES:
1. I couldn't find sausage with Italian seasoning, so I just added my own before I sauted it.