Garden Pasta Salad with Chicken Sausage Recipe

By Aggieskitchen

Lots of fresh vegetables brighten up this light garden pasta salad that would make a perfect summer meal or side dish.

Garden Pasta Salad with Chicken Sausage

Ingredients:

• 3 cups uncooked quinoa pasta (or pasta of your choice)
• 3 precooked chicken sausage links, halved and quartered (cut into half moon size) - I used Aidells Chicken and Apple Sausage
• 2 large zucchini, halved and quartered (cut into half moon size)
• 1 cup halved grape tomatoes (about 3/4 pint)
• 1 cup matchstick carrots (or shredded)
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1/2 cup your favorite vinaigrette or dressing - divided
• (see notes for optional add in ideas)

Directions:

1. Cook pasta according to directions. Drain and lightly rinse (to stop cooking process) and set aside to cool.
2. In a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, cook chicken sausage pieces until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Set aside to cool.
3. In a large bowl combine cooked pasta and chicken sausage with 1/4 cup of dressing. Season with a pinch of coarse salt and fresh ground pepper.
4. When pasta mixture is completely cooled, add in vegetables and feta cheese. Toss gently with remaining 1/4 cup dressing. Serve chilled or at room temperature. (Note: if serving at a later time, add second 1/4 cup of dressing when ready to serve or you may be have to freshen up the salad with a few tablespoons of dressing since pasta salad is known to soak in dressing)

Optional add in ideas : ** 1 can drained and rinsed kidney beans and/or garbanzo beans (sub in for chicken sausage to make into a vegetarian dish) ** 1 small can sliced olives ** chopped fresh baby spinach or kale.

Garden Pasta Salad with Chicken Sausage Recipe 2022-02-28T02:05:00-08:00 Rating: 4.5 Diposkan Oleh: Admin