Penne with Sausage and Pumpkin Cream Sauce

Penne with Sausage and Pumpkin Cream Sauce

4 oz penne pasta
2 tsp olive oil
1 small onion, thinly sliced
2 cloves of garlic, minced
about 2T chopped fresh sage
2 links cooked chicken sausage, sliced
1/2 cup low fat cottage cheese (1% milk fat)
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
1/2 cup nonfat milk
5oz baby spinach
parmesan cheese, optional
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add onions and cook gently for about 1-2 minutes, until softened and beginning to caramelize. Add garlic, sage, and chicken sausage; continue to saute. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions. In a blender, combine combine pumpkin, cottage cheese, and milk. Blend until no lumps are present. Add to sausage mixture in skillet and continue to cook over low heat. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground pepper. Drain pasta and return to pot over low heat. Add sausage mixture and baby spinach, and toss together until the spinach is wilted. Serve with parmesan cheese, if desired.

Jayne's Notes: I've seen other recipes that use cream with the pumpkin and this was comparably delicious but lower calorie.