(sneaky) Creamy Pasta Sauce

Total Time: 25 mins Preparation Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients

• 1 (14 -16 ounce) box whole wheat penne
• 1/2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (or cooking spray)
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 lb italian chicken sausage
• 1 large zucchini, halved lenghtwise and then sliced
• 8 ounces frozen broccoli
• 8 ounces ricotta cheese
• shredded parmesan cheese (optional)

Recipe

• 1 cook penne, just to al dente, according to package directions. prior to draining, reserve a cup of the cooking water.
• 2 meanwhile, coat a skillet with the olive oil or cooking spray. add onion and garlic. cook over medium heat until translucent. add sausage and cook until no longer pink, stirring often to break up meat.
• 3 while the meat is cooking, steam zucchini and broccoli. place veggies and some of the reserved pasta water in a blender. blend well, adding additional water as needed. add ricotta to veggie mixture in blender and blend until well incorporated, scraping sides as needed.
• 4 add pasta and sauce to meat mixture in skillet. cook just until heated through.
• 5 garnish with parmesan, if desired.