Bow-Ties with Sausage, Spinach, and Peas

A quick and easy lunch to get your kids through the day

by Khalil Hymore

I love peanut butter and jelly sandwiches as much as the next kid, but let's face it, that's a lot of sugar to be eating at lunch time. Try this pasta dish instead. It can be prepared in about 15 minutes and is the perfect blend of protein (from the lean sausage), carbohydrates (from the pasta), and iron (from the peas and spinach) to ensure your kids have plenty of energy to make it through a busy school.

Makes 6 servings

• 1 5-ounce package baby spinach
• 2 cups frozen peas, thawed
• 1 pound bow-tie pasta
• 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 1 pound chicken or turkey sausage, cut into 1/4-inch coins
• kosher or sea salt
• ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving

Place the spinach and peas in a colander and set aside. Cook the pasta according to the package directions and drain into the colander, reserving about 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid, tossing together with the spinach and peas until the spinach is wilted. Set aside.

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sauté garlic for 1 minute. Add the sausage to the skillet and cook until browned, about 6 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Add the pasta, spinach, and peas to the skillet with 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese and some of the cooking liquid to moisten, Toss thoroughly. Serve pasta in a large bowl and garnish with more Parmesan cheese.