One-Pot Chicken Sausage & Pepper Pasta

Ingredients

• Ground Chicken — 2 lb sausage base ($8.00)
• Fennel Seeds — 2 tsp ($0.10)
• Smoked Paprika — 2 tsp ($0.10)
• Garlic Powder — 1 1/2 tsp ($0.08)
• Onion Powder — 1 1/2 tsp ($0.08)
• Dried Oregano — 1 tsp ($0.05)
• Black Pepper — 1 tsp ($0.05)
• Salt — 1 1/2 tsp ($0.02)
• Red Pepper Flakes — 1 tsp ($0.02)
• Pasta — 10 oz dry ($1.00)
• Cooking Oil — 2 Tbsp ($0.20)
• Red Bell Pepper — 2 medium diced ($2.00)
• Onion — 1 medium diced ($0.50)
• Garlic — 4 cloves minced ($0.20)
• Spinach — 6 oz fresh ($1.20)
• Tomato Paste — 3 Tbsp thickener ($0.30)
• Crushed Tomatoes — 15 oz can base liquid ($1.00)
• Water — 2 1/2 cups for pasta ($0.00)
• Parmesan Cheese — 1/2 cup grated ($1.50)
• Half and Half — 1/4 cup creaminess ($0.30)

Instructions

1. 1Mix the Sausage — Combine ground chicken with all sausage spices in a bowl.
2. 2Sauté Meat and Veggies — Heat 2 Tbsp oil in large deep pot medium-high. Add seasoned chicken, cook until browned, crumbling as it cooks. Add onion, bell peppers, and garlic, sauté 3–4 minutes. Stir in tomato paste, cook 1 more minute.
3. 3Simmer the Pasta — Pour in crushed tomatoes, water, and dry pasta. Stir well. Bring to boil then reduce to simmer. Cover and cook 10–12 minutes until pasta is tender, stirring occasionally.
4. 4Finish and Pack — Remove from heat. Stir in half and half and parmesan until creamy sauce forms. Fold in fresh spinach handful at a time until wilted. Divide evenly across 6 containers.