Chunky Sausage Pasta and Broccolini

12 ounces uncooked corn pasta (or your favorite whole-grain and/or gluten-free pasta)
1/2 bell pepper, any color, chopped
1/2 small to medium onion, chopped
7 or 8 green olives rough chopped
1 cup sliced mushrooms, fresh
1 28 ounce can of crushed tomatoes (swished with 1/4 can of water)
1 14 ounce can of diced tomatoes
About 1 T capers
3 to 4 cloves garlic
3 links turkey italian sausage
Italian seasonings, salt, pepper, basil, oregano
A little red wine, if desired (about 1/4 cup)
A small amount of grated parmesan or romano cheese to sprinkle on top

Broccolini - olive oil, 2 packages of broccolini, onion powder, garlic powder, hot seeds, salt & pepper.

Cut turkey sausage in half and brown in a medium saucepan. Some of the insides will fall out of the casing and that is fine. Cook on medium heat until browned on all sides. In the meantime, chop all vegetables and wash & chop (in half or thirds) broccolini. Place broccolini in a pan, drizzle with olive oil, salt, pepper, onion & garlic salt, and hot seeds (if desired). Leave as is for now. Fill a large saucepan with salted water and heat to boiling.

When turkey sausage is browned, deglaze pan with red wine if usuing. Then add the peppers, onion, olives, capers, and mushrooms. Cook until soft. Add the tomatoes and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, season to taste, and simmer. The water will probably be ready by now. Add pasta and cook according to package directions. Turn the heat on the burner with the broccolini and cook (occassoinally tossing) until done, I prefer a little crispy about 5 minutes.

When pasta is done, serve with sauce and sprinkle with fresh grated parmesan or romano cheese. This takes about 30 minutes for everything.

Comments: I formerly made this without the sausage, but the husband likes "meat", so I added the italian turkey sausage and it is very flavorful. We all enjoy this meal very much. If you wanted to keep it a vegetarian meal, it is very delicious that way and if I was just cooking for myself, that is how I would make it. The broccolini is my "quick" version and everyone that I make it for really likes it.

Sauce Simmering

Sauce and pasta with broccolini