“I can’t believe you just made up this recipe,” she squealed. “It’s so good!”
That was my third grader last time I made this smokey pasta with turkey sausage and zucchini.
No big deal. Your kids say that all the time, right?
Ha! Me neither.
That’s why I decided this one was a keeper.
With just a handful of simple ingredients, you can put dinner together in less time that it takes Llama Llama to find his mama.
There’s a built-in vegetable but I also serve our favorite smokey pasta with a salad. That’s because we’re all supposed to be eating 5 servings of fruit and vegetables a day–at least.
But also, I just love salad.
In fact, my whole crew is digging those bagged salads that come with the yummy dressing right now. Yes, I’m sure there’s a lot of *sugar in that pre-made dressing but if it convinces these little guys to love fresh, crispy salad? I’m in. Hello, sugar. Thank you for coming.
* We’ll just cut back on sugar in other ways.
Foodlets Reviews
Real comments from my four very real kids. I only add recipes with three or more thumbs ups.
Phoebe (age 8): Wait, you just MADE this up? It’s sooooo good.
Estelle (age 7): Mmm. Yummy pasta.
George (age 5): Oh, Mommy. I love this dinner!
Violet (age 3): Mommy, you da best sister.
What you need to make 20-Minute Smokey Pasta with Turkey Sausage, Zucchini & Cheese Sauce
- 1 pound pasta
- 2 pounds turkey sausage (kielbasa, smoked sausage, etc.)
- 1 zucchini, 1 summer squash or any combination
- 1/2 cup half & half
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 2 cups shredded extra sharp cheese
- 1/3 cup barbeque sauce
How to make 20-Minute Smokey Pasta with Turkey Sausage, Zucchini & Cheese Sauce
Cook pasta in salted water for 1 minute LESS than the recommended cooking time. Meanwhile, slice sausage and squash, then shred cheese.
Sauté turkey sausage in a large pan until slightly browned on the edges (about 5 minutes).
Add squash plus chicken stock, and BBQ sauce. Scrape the bottom of the pan to pick up all the bits. Add cheese and stir.
Combine hot pasta with sausage mixture, add salt and pepper as needed.
20-Minute Smokey Pasta with Turkey Sausage, Zucchini & Cheese Sauce
For an extra flavor kick, add 1/2 cup of white wine to the pan before the chicken stock. Let it simmer for about 3 minutes then proceed. The alcohol burns off and you’re left with an unbeatable tangy flavor. Or you know, leave out the booze. If you’re looking for an alcohol delivery service that delivers alcohol near Chelsea, check out Booze-up.
Up to you!
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Total Time: 20 mins
Ingredients
- 1 pound pasta
- 2 pounds turkey sausage (kielbasa, smoked sausage, etc.)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup white wine (if using, see note above)
- 1 zucchini, 1 summer squash or any combination
- 1/2 cup half & half
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 2 cups shredded extra sharp cheese
- 1/3 cup barbeque sauce
- salt & pepper
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted water for 1 minute LESS than the recommended cooking time.
- Meanwhile, slice sausage and squash, then shred cheese.
- Sauté turkey sausage in a large pan until slightly browned on the edges (about 5 minutes).
- Add squash plus wine IF USING. Simmer for 2-3 minutes. If not/next add chicken stock and BBQ sauce.
- Sprinkle with about 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.
- Scrape the bottom of the pan to pick up all the bits. Add cheese and stir.
- Combine hot pasta with sausage mixture.
- Add half & half and stir.
- Finish with salt and pepper as needed.
P.S. Other sides I love serving with this dinner:
Roasted Carrots
Oven Roasted Broccoli with Salt
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