Fresh Tomato, Sausage, and Pecorino Pasta

Healthy, delicious food drives the mind and body. Caregiverlist promotes nutritious and tasty meals for caregivers and seniors. Caregivers need to eat right to keep their body energized and their mind sharp to get through the day. Seniors also require wholesome food to get all the right nutrients to take care of their body.

Tired of just dumping some marina sauce on your pasta? Try this easy pasta recipe for a light summer dinner instead! Making your own sauce for the dish enables control over the sodium and fat level for senior clients who may have dietary restrictions, and it gives the dish an extra fresh taste that you won't get from a can. 

Ingredients

• 8 ounces uncooked penne 
• 8 ounces sweet Italian sausage 
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 cup vertically sliced onion 
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1 1/4 pounds tomatoes, chopped 
• 6 tablespoons grated fresh pecorino Romano cheese, divided (try light Mozarella as an alternative)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup torn fresh basil leaves 

Directions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat; drain.

2. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Remove casings from sausage. Add oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add sausage and onion to pan; cook 4 minutes, stirring to crumble sausage. Add garlic; cook 2 minutes. Stir in tomatoes; cook 2 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in pasta, 2 tablespoons cheese, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup cheese and basil.