Whole Wheat Penne with Broccoli and Sausage

Triple play: Swapping turkey for pork sausage cuts artery-clogging saturated fat by a third; whole grain helps lower cholesterol; and broccoli has heart-protective antioxidants.

Total time 25 minutes

Ingredients:

12 ounce(s) whole wheat penne pasta

1 large bunch broccoli, cut into florets

12 ounce(s) hot Italian turkey sausage

1 pint(s) grape tomatoes, each cut in half

1/2 cup(s) (loosely packed) fresh basil leaves, chopped

1/4 cup(s) freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese

Directions:

Heat large saucepot of salted water to boiling on high. Add pasta and cook as label directs, adding broccoli when 3 minutes of cooking time remain. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water; drain pasta and broccoli.

Meanwhile, thinly slice sausage on the diagonal. In 12-inch nonstick skillet, cook sausage on medium 7 to 8 minutes or until it begins to brown, stirring occasionally. Add tomatoes and cook 5 minutes longer, stirring.

Stir pasta, broccoli, and 1/4 cup pasta cooking water into sausage mixture in skillet; heat through, adding additional cooking water if needed. Remove from heat; stir in basil and cheese.