An easy pasta meal for the weeknight time crunch. Use different dried herbs to suit your family's tastes. Serve with a green salad and some fresh fruit.

Italian Sausage with Pasta and Herbs

1 pound Italian dinner sausage links
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cups zucchini, cubed
1/2 red bell pepper, diced
8 ounces rotini pasta
1 cup ricotta cheese, part skim
2 tablespoons dried herbs, (basil, oregano, sage, parsley)
Parmesan cheese, freshly grated

1. Cut sausage diagonally into 1-inch pieces and cook sausage in a large skillet over medium heat, turning to cook and brown evenly, about 10 to 15 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 160°F (70°C). Set aside. Cool slightly and cut diagonally into 1-inch pieces.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet and add zucchini and red pepper. Cook over medium heat until tender but still crisp, about 3 to 4 minutes.
3. Cook the rotini according to the directions on the package. Drain and reserve 1 cup cooking water.
4. Add pasta to skillet and stir in ricotta. Add 1/2 cup pasta water and stir until creamy. Stir in sausage. Add more water if mixture is too dry.
5. Sprinkle with fresh herbs and Parmesan cheese before serving.

Makes 4 servings.

Nutritional Information Per Serving (1/4 of recipe): Calories: 510 calories; Protein: 34 grams; Fat: 19 grams; Sodium: 730 milligrams; Cholesterol: 55 milligrams; Saturated Fat: 7 grams; Carbohydrates: 51 grams; Fiber: 3 grams

Recipe and photograph provided courtesy of Pork, The Other White Meat.