the treadmill diaries

Sausage Orecchiette Pasta - 370 cal (7 pts)

Sausage Orecchiette Pasta is a mediterranean-inspired dish that makes the most of bold ingredients like Kalamata olives and Feta Cheese to create a unique blend of sweet and sour.  The result is a meal you’ll thoroughly enjoy that comes in under 400 calories and takes less than 30 minutes to prepare.    

Nutritional Information Per Serving (4 Servings):   

• Calories    -  370
• Total Fat  -    10
• Fiber         -     4
• WW           -     7

What  You’ll Need:    

• 1/2 pound uncooked Orecchiette Pasta (or penne or farfelle)
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 2 cups sweet red bell pepper, cut into 2 in thin strips
• 3 turkey sausages under 100 cal each (like nature’s pride), with casing removed & cut into thin half moon-shaped pieces 
• 1 tsp oregano
• 2 tsp minced garlic
• 1/2 cup light feta cheese (not fat-free)
• 1/4 cup kalamata olives
• 1 cup fresh spinach
• salt and pepper to taste

Making Your Meal:    

1. Cook pasta according to instructions, reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining, drain and set aside
2. Heat oil over medium-high heat in sauce pan and add red pepper & salt
3. Saute for 4 min, combine with sausage, oregano & garlic, continue to cook for 4-5 min
4. Return pasta  to pan with sausage, peppers and add pasta water, salt, feta, olives and black pepper
5. Cook for 2-3 minutes until ingredients are well-blended and heated
6. Add in Spinach and cook for 1-2 more minutes until ready
7. Serve 1 and 1/2 cups pasta per person

This pasta dish pairs well with a salad with italian dressing and some sort of italian bread (plain or garlic).  Mangia and Enjoy.