Sausage & Peppers over Pasta

What I like most about the Weight Watchers Simply Filling program is that I don't have to weigh and measure or track points for foods that are on the Power Foods List.  When I cook meals that contain items that have a PointsPlus value, I usually make a smaller portion for myself in a separate pan while making Joe a larger portion in another pan.

I also cook our pasta separate.  While Joe is still eating regular white pasta, I've switched to whole grain varieties.  For Joe, I'll usually make a large pot of pasta to keep in the fridge for quick meals or lunches.  For me, pasta is a weakness and I just pile it onto my dish without thinking, so I weigh out a portion of dry pasta and only cook that single portion for myself to help keep me from over eating.  Normally, I eat two ounces of pasta, but for this meal I served three ounces.

Sausage & Peppers over Pasta
     Serves 1

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp. olive oil, divided
• 5 mini bell peppers, sliced into rings 
• 1/2 yellow onion, sliced
• 1 cup spinach
• 3 basil leaves, torn 
• 1 tsp. minced garlic
• crushed red pepper flakes, to taste
• 1/2 Al Fresco All Natural Roasted Red Pepper Asiago Chicken Sausage, sliced into small bits
• 3 oz. Whole Wheat Linguine, dry

Directions: 

• Begin cooking pasta as directed on package, reserve 1/4 cup the cooking water before draining.
• Cook peppers and onions over medium heat in 1/2 tsp. hot oil until they starts to get tender.
• Stir in spinach and basil.  When it starts to wilt, add in the garlic and crushed red pepper flakes, cook for about a minute longer then remove the veggies from the pan and set aside.   
• Add the other 1/2 tsp. of olive oil to the pan and brown the sausage a bit.  
• Add the veggies back to the pan and stir in the reserved cooking water from the pasta, stir well and cook for a minute longer.  
• Serve over pasta.  

Notes:  

• This is a delicious, low PointsPlus value meal.  (2 pts. for the sausage) 
• While this is a hearty portion, you could probably split this into two servings if you are looking for a lighter meal or serving a salad on the side.  
• I didn't use a lot of oil in this dish.  I hate using my "indulgence points" for oils, so I keep my daily oil at the 2 tsp. recommended healthy oils.  If you've already used your recommended oils or are following the PointsPlus program, be sure to calculate points for the oil.  
• To eliminate points completely (when following Simply Filling) use water instead of oil to cook your vegetables.  Also, skip the sausage and use a lean meat (like chicken, turkey or pork) to keep it point free.  Of course, this dish would also be delicious meat-free!