A Pasta Surprise...

Well, it's Sunday and we wanted to try somehing new for lunch today. Yesterday, we took the girls to the local science and history museum and I got the munchies on the drive over. We stopped by the grocery store and I ran in to grab a snack. Luckily they were Diamond brand Glazed Walnuts because this morning I happened to grab them from the diaper bag and found a recipe on the back of the bag.

Hubby instantly liked the idea, so we thought we'd give it a shot ( we both love Glazed Walnuts!)

Penne with Sausage, Broccoli and Diamond Glazed Walnuts

Ingredients:

12 ounces dried penne
1 pound Italian sausages
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced (used 2 tsp jar minced garlic)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
2 teaspoons salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 large red bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 pound broccoli (or your favorite vegetable), chopped (used frozen, thawed)
1, 28-ounce can diced tomatoes ( used 2 14.5 oz cans)
1 package Diamond Glazed Walnuts
Shaved parmesan cheese, for garnish ( used shredded )

Directions:

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil over high heat; add the penne and cook until al dente, about 10 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of the cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.

Heat a large saute pan over high heat. Add the oil and swirl to coat. Remove the casings from the sausages; using your fingers, pinch the sausage into small pieces and allow them to drop into the hot pan. Cook until golden on all sides, about 10 minutes. Remove the sausage from the pan and drain on paper towels. Pour off all but 2 tablespoons of the oil in the pan.

Add the onions, garlic, oregano, salt and pepper; sauté until the onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the bell peppers and cook 2 minutes. Add the broccoli and cook, stirring, 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes and their juices; bring to a boil, lower heat and cook at a simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in the reserved 1 cup of pasta water.

Add the cooked pasta and sausage; toss well. Add the Diamond Glazed Walnuts; toss together well. Taste and adjust the seasoning.

Transfer to a bowl or large casserole dish and garnish with shaved/shredded parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.

The only thing we worried about was how the girls would like it ...

Guess that's all the approval I can ask for!!!!!