Penne with Broccoli Rabe and Ricotta

This pasta dish is healthy yet full of flavor!

Salt
1 bunch broccoli rabe
12 ounces whole wheat penne
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
2 lean Italian turkey sausages, casings removed
1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced
1 garlic clove, sliced
Small pinch crushed red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1/4 cup part-skim ricotta
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the broccoli rabe; cook for 4 minutes. Transfer the broccoli rabe to a colander. When it's cool enough to handle, chop into bite-size pieces.
2. Add the penne to the same pot of boiling water and cook until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the penne.
3. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sausages, onion, garlic, and red pepper flakes and cook, crumbling the sausage with a wooden spoon, until browned, 8 minutes. Add the chopped broccoli rabe and saute until tender, about 2 more minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring until well combined, about 1 minute.
4. Adjust the heat to low and add the pasta to the skillet. Toss to combine the ingredients, adding a little of the reserved cooking water if the mixture seems dry. Stir in the ricotta and Parmesan, take the pan off the heat, and toss well. Serve immediately.

Serving Size: makes 6 servings

Number of Servings: 6

Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user FITNESSMAGAZINE.