I found this seafood sausage when I was shopping at one of my favorite stores, Trader Joe’s, the other day and decided to combine it with some vegetables and penne pasta.   A while back, I went to a restaurant with a friend and had this great penne pasta & sausage dish, and ever since I’ve been trying to duplicate it.    This was the best ever!    It’s fast and easy and is one of those dishes that you can add whatever sausage and vegetables that float your boat.    We had a few spears of asparagus from our garden, but not enough for more than one person, so they became the central vegetable ingredient.    And the seafood sausage is a definite keeper!   I use brown rice pasta because it is gluten free, low glycemic and is a much healthier option than regular white flour pasta,  and I love the taste.

Seafood Sausage Penne Pasta

• 4 links seafood sausage sliced
• 1 large clove garlic, chopped
• 1/2 onion, sliced then cut in half
• 1/2 cup red bell pepper, rough chopped
• 8-10 spears of asparagus, cut into 2 inch peices
• 3.5 oz shitake mushrooms (1 carton), rough chopped
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 8 oz. brown rice penne pasta

Boil the pasta according to the package directions and drain.  Rinse with water and let drain.

Saute the garlic in olive oil in a large frying pan for just a minute and then add the sausage and lightly brown.  Add the asparagus, onions, mushrooms and red bell pepper and saute until the onions are transparent.    Add the wine and stir until it comes to a boil.   Then add the pasta and stir again to coat the pasta with the sauce.  Then add the parmesan cheese and toss.

Serves 4.