Description
A light and flavorful one-pan pasta dish with tender Italian chicken sausage, fresh zucchini, cherry tomatoes, and Parmesan. Perfect for busy summer nights and full of seasonal ingredients!
Ingredients
8 oz (225 g) short pasta (penne, rotini, or shells) 1 tablespoon olive oil 12 oz (340 g) Italian-style chicken sausage, sliced into rounds 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 medium zucchinis, halved lengthwise and sliced 1 cup (150 g) cherry tomatoes, halved ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional) Salt and black pepper, to taste ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese 2 tablespoons fresh basil or parsley, chopped Juice of half a lemon (optional, for brightness)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving about ½ cup of the cooking water. 2. While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken sausage rounds and cook for about 4–5 minutes per side, until browned and cooked through. Remove to a plate and set aside. 3. In the same skillet, add garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. 4. Add zucchini and cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until just tender. Add cherry tomatoes and cook another minute. 5. Return the sausage to the skillet, then add cooked pasta. Toss everything together, adding a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to loosen. 6. Season with salt, pepper, lemon juice, and fresh herbs. Sprinkle with Parmesan before serving.
Notes
• Add spinach, kale, or arugula for extra greens. • Substitute yellow squash or eggplant for zucchini. • Make it creamy by stirring in mascarpone or ricotta just before serving. • Use gluten-free or whole wheat pasta if preferred.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Pasta, Summer
- Method: Stovetop, Sauté
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired, American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ½ cups
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 790mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: chicken zucchini pasta skillet, italian chicken sausage pasta, sausage and squash recipes, one pot dinners chicken, summer pasta recipe