Zesty Penne Pasta - Light

Submitted by megs_

"I found this recipe in a magazine, in a Philly (cream cheese) ad. I modified it to make it healthier, and was honestly WOW-ed when I tried it - it's that good! Hope it WOW-s you too!"

 

• Ready In: 20mins
• Ingredients: 6
• Serves: 8

ingredients

• 3 cups whole wheat penne, uncooked
• 1 lb reduced-fat pork sausage, Jimmy Dean
• 1 (26 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce, I use Prego Heart-Smart
• 1 teaspoon red chili pepper flakes
• 4 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese
• 1⁄4 cup parmesan cheese

directions

1. Cook pasta according to directions.
2. While that cooks, brown sausage in a pan sprayed with cooking spray.
3. When sausage is fully cooked, add spaghetti sauce & red chili pepper flakes. Simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Add cream cheese to sauce, stir well for 2 minutes.
5. Drain pasta and mix well with sauce. Top with parmesan, let stand on LOW heat for 5 minutes until cheese is melted.

Reviews

[Heathen Mama]

I made this last night for the kids. I'm sheepishly reporting that I did make it with regular penne, regular cream cheese, and regular sausage. I halved the crushed reds, too. They loved it! I think this recipe could really be adapted, too. I think sauteed peppers, mushrooms and onions would be delicious in this dish.

 

[MelissaO]

This is really really good. It's creamy, but not too creamy; spicy but not too spicy; and easy (but doesn't look as easy as say, spaghetti). Stick with the 3 cups pasta (or less...) or you will have not enough sauce. My Jimmy Dean Red. Fat Sausage was only 12 oz., and it was perfect. Thanks for the recipe.