Roasted Vegetable + Chicken Sausage Pasta

I shared this super easy, healthy meal earlier in the week on Instagram. As much as I love to cook, there are times that I am looking for something quick and simple to feed our family. I don’t like to do highly-processed or frozen foods unless we are in a real hurry so this has quickly become a favorite dish and could easily be made in larger quantities for weekly meal prep.

To make this dish, I start by roasting my vegetables. Roasted vegetables are my absolute favorite! I just love the flavor. For this meal, I like to use onion, zucchini, mushrooms, and grape tomatoes but you can honestly use any vegetable that you like. I toss my veggies in a little olive oil and give them a good sprinkle of sea salt, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.

My absolute favorite chicken sausage to use for this meal is the sun-dried tomato chicken sausage from Trader Joe’s. I like that is is relatively healthy and very flavorful. Its also pre-cooked, which saves some time. Any chicken sausage will do though so feel free to substitute your own favorite variety. Slice and add to a cookie sheet with your vegetables.

Roast your vegetables and chicken sausage in a 400 degree oven for about 20 minutes until they are cooked through. Meanwhile, boil a pot of water and cook two cups of whole wheat penne until al dente. Then, toss with marinara.

This Thrive Market marinara is my absolute favorite. I am so picky with jarred sauces because so many of them contain added sugar and some questionable ingredients thrown in. Or, if you’re purchasing a healthy variety they end up being eight or nine dollars a jar, which is just not ideal.

I’d love to say I make my own but that would be a big fib! Thrive Market to the rescue! Their sauces are delicious. My husband, who grew up in New Jersey alongside the best Italian food, could literally drink this sauce. They are very inexpensive and only the best organic ingredients with none of the added extras. Your annual membership to Thrive Market even goes to feed a family in need and it offers so much more than great pasta sauces but the sauces are seriously so good that I order ten at a time.

After you’ve tossed your penne with your sauce, top with your vegetables and chicken sausage and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese. Then, enjoy, and don’t even feel guilty about it!

Shopping list:

• 1 small yellow onion, sliced
• 1 medium – zucchini, halved and then sliced
• 4 oz mushrooms
• 1/3 cup grape tomatoes
• 1/2 box whole wheat pasta
• 1 cup marinara sauce
• 1/2 Tbsp. olive oil
• salt, garlic powder, Italian seasoning to taste
• sprinkle of parmesan

Don’t forget to check out my updated Recipes tab for more recipes from our kitchen. Try Thrive Market for yourself free for 30 days here.