Sausage Broccoli Pasta

2 to 3 cups broccoli florets
1/2 to 1 bag baby spinach
1 lb. pasta shells
3 Tbs. olive oil
1 1/2 lb. Italian sausage
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
Prepared pasta sauce

Prep. time: 45 minutes
Yield: 6 servings

Fill a large dutch oven 1/2 full with water; bring to a boil. Add broccoli; cook 3 to 4 minutes. Add spinach; cook 30 seconds. Remove broccoli and spinach to a bowl of ice water.

Bring the water in the dutch oven back to a boil. Add pasta shells; cook according to package directions.

Meanwhile, heat a large skillet to medium heat. Remove sausage from casings and add to skillet. Cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until completely cooked through. Add garlic and red pepper; cook 2 minutes.

Strain the broccoli and spinach and add it to the skillet; toss to mix. Strain the pasta and add it to the skillet. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and serve with pasta sauce.

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