Spaghetti with Chicken Sausage and Tomato Basil Sauce

Ingredients

• Whole wheat spaghetti (cooked) 2.5 cups
• Chicken sausage 5 oz
• Tomato basil sauce 1/2 cup
• Olive oil 1 tbsp
• Parmesan cheese 2 tbsp

Method

1. Prepare Ingredients. Gather all ingredients. If your chicken sausage is raw, slice it into 1/2-inch thick pieces. Measure out the cooked whole wheat spaghetti, tomato basil sauce, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese.
   Tip: If your sausage is pre-cooked, you can slice it and add it directly to the sauce later.
2. Cook the Chicken Sausage. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced chicken sausage pieces and cook for about 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are browned and heated through.
   Tip: Avoid overcrowding the pan to ensure the sausage browns nicely instead of steaming.
3. Add Tomato Basil Sauce. Pour 1/2 cup of tomato basil sauce into the skillet with the cooked sausage. Stir gently to combine. Let the sauce simmer with the sausage for about 3 minutes to meld the flavors.
   Tip: Keep the heat at medium-low to prevent the sauce from sticking or burning.
4. Combine Spaghetti and Sauce. Add the 2.5 cups of cooked whole wheat spaghetti to the skillet. Toss everything together gently to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce and sausage.
   Tip: If the mixture seems dry, add a splash of pasta cooking water or a little more sauce.
5. Serve and Garnish. Divide the spaghetti with sausage and sauce evenly onto two plates. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese over each serving before serving.
   Tip: Freshly grated Parmesan will melt better and add more flavor.

Pro tips

• Use a non-stick skillet to prevent the sausage from sticking and burning.
• Reserve some pasta water before draining; it can help adjust sauce consistency.