Turkey and Asparagus Skillet Pasta

A one dish meal of turkey Italian sausage and asparagus, with pasta in tomato sauce, plus cheese all cooked in only one skillet.

Both of my parents worked while I was growing up so when my sisters and I were old enough to use the stove we each had a night to prepare dinner for the family. Since we were not very experienced cooks my mom would buy easy to prepare meals like hamburger helper. This dish reminds me of hamburger helper, from my childhood, but it's so much better.

Like #HamburgerHelper but better | Turkey & Asparagus #SkilletPasta [Tweet this]

This is great for a busy night when you don't have a lot of time to spend on dinner. It's ready in about 30 minutes and it doesn't require much prep. Also, it's all cooked in the same skillet so you don't have much clean-up. My favorite thing about skillet pasta is that you don't have to move and lift a large pot of boiling water (I have balance problems so I have to use one hand to keep me balanced when I stand and I need both to lift and drain large pasta pots...hence my difficulty). I think skillet pasta tastes even better than pasta the usual way. As the pasta simmers in its sauce and water I think it picks up much more flavor than pasta just topped or tossed with sauce. This is my new favorite way to cook pasta.

#Dinnerin30: Turkey and Asparagus #SkilletPasta [Tweet this]

Turkey and Asparagus Skillet Pasta

Cook time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4-6

Ingredients:

1 pound turkey Italian sausage
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 28 oz can of stewed tomatoes
2 Tbsp dried basil
1 Tbsp dried minced onion
1/4-1/2 cup roasted garlic (or 2 Tbsp garlic powder)
1 bunch of asparagus, chopped (about 2 cups)
1 13 oz box of whole wheat rotini
3 cups water
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
1/4 cup parmesan (optional)
1 cup mozzarella (optional)

Brown the ground Italian sausage in a 12-inch skillet, over medium heat, until cooked through.

Meanwhile, add tomatoes, basil, onion, and garlic to blender and puree.

Once sausage is cooked pour in the olive oil and tomato puree. Add the asparagus and pasta then pour in the water (until pasta is just covered). Add salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using) and bring to a boil.

Reduce heat to low, cover and let simmer for 15-20 minutes until most of the liquid is absorbed and pasta is just a little undercooked (not quite al dente).

Turn off heat, stir in cheeses (if using), cover, and let set for about 10 minutes. The last of the liquid will absorb into the pasta, pasta will be tender, and cheese melted.

Serve immediately.

Makes about 6 servings.

Enjoy.