Summer Squash and Sausage Pasta Dish
Bursting with vibrant summer flavors, this Summer Squash and Sausage Pasta Dish is a hearty yet fresh meal perfect for weeknight dinners or gatherings with friends. Featuring tender penne pasta tossed with golden slices of yellow summer squash, zucchini, and juicy cherry tomatoes, this dish is elevated with the bold, savory depth of Italian sausage. A touch of red pepper flakes adds gentle heat, while fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese provide a fragrant, creamy finish. Quick to prepare in just 40 minutes, this recipe effortlessly combines seasonal vegetables with comforting pasta for a balanced, flavorful dish that’s sure to please. Try it as a main course, accompanied by crusty bread or a light salad, for a meal that celebrates the best flavors of summer.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz Penne pasta
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 8 oz Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casings removed)
- 3 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
- 2 medium Yellow summer squash, sliced into half-moons
- 1 medium Zucchini, sliced into half-moons
- 1.5 cups Cherry tomatoes, halved
- 0.5 tsp Red pepper flakes
- 0.5 cups Parmesan cheese, grated
- 0.25 cups Fresh basil, thinly sliced
- to taste Kosher salt
- to taste Black pepper
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water and then drain the pasta. Set aside.
While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil, then add the Italian sausage. Cook, breaking up the sausage with a wooden spoon, until it is browned and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set it aside on a plate lined with paper towels.
In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add the yellow summer squash and zucchini to the skillet. Sauté until the vegetables are tender and slightly caramelized, about 5 minutes.
Add the cherry tomatoes and red pepper flakes to the skillet. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes begin to soften.
Return the cooked sausage to the skillet and stir everything together. Season with kosher salt and black pepper to taste.
Add the drained pasta into the skillet, and toss to combine. If the mixture seems dry, gradually add the reserved pasta water, 1/4 cup at a time, until the desired consistency is reached.
Turn off the heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil. Toss until the cheese is melted and evenly distributed.
Divide the pasta among serving plates or bowls. Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh basil if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1548 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 20.3 g | 26% | |
| Saturated Fat | 8.6 g | 43% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 40 mg | 13% | |
| Sodium | 1307 mg | 57% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 283.9 g | 103% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 23.7 g | 85% | |
| Total Sugars | 18.7 g | ||
| Protein | 70.0 g | 140% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 641 mg | 49% | |
| Iron | 18.3 mg | 102% | |
| Potassium | 2980 mg | 63% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
