this easy meal comes together in just about 15 minutes. loaded with protein, fiber and heart-healthy fat, it’s a dish you’ll want to serve over and over again on busy weeknights!
Got another 15 minute dinner for you all! I was in fridge clean out mode the other day and found some cherry tomatoes, chicken sausage and arugula and wanted to come up with an easy family dinner.
Out was it was born this easy arugula pesto pasta with caprese chicken sausage and sautéed tomatoes.
The tomatoes and chicken sausage cook in a large sauté pan while the pasta boils and then all you need to do is mix up the pesto and you’re pretty much done!
Speaking of the pesto, I love this arugula version. I actually made it because I didn’t have enough baby spinach on hand to make my favorite spinach walnut pesto and had some arugula I needed to use up. And oh my gosh.
A little peppery and such a nice change up from the usual spinach, this is definitely going to be one we put into the regular rotation from here on out!
That said, if the little bit of spice from the arugula is not your thing, you can go straight basil or throw in some baby spinach. And if you’re not a tomato fan, broccoli or zucchini would also be delicious.
You can also swap whatever pasta you like best. Anything really goes with this dish. Finish it off with a little sprinkle of parmesan cheese and some chopped fresh basil and voila! Dinner is done!
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this easy meal comes together in just about 15 minutes. loaded with protein, fiber and heart-healthy fat, it’s a dish you’ll want to serve over and over again on busy weeknights!
Ingredients
For the Pesto:
- 2 large handfuls arugula
- 1 large handful fresh basil
- 2–3 cloves garlic, peeled & minced
- 1/4 cup walnuts
- 1/2 cup freshly shredded parmesan cheese (sub nutritional yeast for a dairy-free version)
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- Olive oil
For the Pasta:
- 1 14.5 oz. box farfalle pasta (or any kind you prefer!)
- 4 pack of caprese chicken sausage (I used Gilbert’s), sliced into rounds
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- Optional for serving: freshly chopped basil and shaved parmesan
Instructions
For the Pesto:
- Combine all ingredients except for olive oil into a food processor. Begin to process and slowly stream in olive oil until you’ve reached your desired consistency. Add additional basil, garlic or parmesan as desired.
For the Pasta:
- Cook pasta according to box instructions.
- While pasta cooks, place a non-stick skillet over medium heat and drizzle with olive oil. Add tomatoes and chicken sausage, tossing occasionally until tomatoes are tender and chicken sausage is browned on both sides.
- When pasta is finished cooking, drain and toss with pesto then top with chicken sausage & tomato mixture, salt & pepper as desired, chopped basil and shredded parmesan cheese.
Keywords: dinner, pasta, family meal, chicken
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