CHICKEN, SAUSAGE, ZUCCHINI & SPINACH PASTA

A hearty tomato-based pasta with chicken, sausage, zucchini, spinach, mozzarella, and Parmesan.

4–6

INGREDIENTS
- - 1 lb chicken breast or chicken thighs, cut into bite-size pieces
- - 12–14 oz sausage, sliced
- - 12–16 oz pasta
- - 1 medium zucchini, sliced into half-moons
- - 2–3 cups fresh spinach
- - 2 cups marinara sauce
- - 1–2 tbsp tomato paste
- - 1/2 cup tomato sauce, as needed
- - 1–1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- - 1/4–1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- - 1–2 tbsp olive oil
- - 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- - Salt and black pepper, to taste
- - Optional: crushed red pepper flakes
- - Optional: splash of pasta water if the sauce needs thinning

INSTRUCTIONS

Instructions:
1. **Cook the pasta.** Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until just al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water, then drain.
2. **Cook the chicken.** Season the chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook the chicken until browned and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
3. **Brown the sausage.** Add the sliced sausage to the same skillet and cook until browned around the edges.
4. **Cook the zucchini.** Add the zucchini and sauté for about 3–4 minutes, just until slightly tender. Avoid overcooking so it keeps some texture.
5. **Build the tomato sauce.** Stir in the tomato paste and cook for about 30–60 seconds. Add the marinara sauce. If you want more sauce or a thinner consistency, stir in some tomato sauce or reserved pasta water.
6. **Combine everything.** Return the chicken to the skillet. Add the cooked pasta and toss until everything is evenly coated.
7. **Add the spinach.** Stir in the spinach and cook for 1–2 minutes, just until wilted.
8. **Make it cheesy.** Reduce the heat to low. Stir in about half of the mozzarella and Parmesan. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella over the top, cover for 2–3 minutes, and let it melt.
9. **Finish and serve.** Taste and adjust the salt, pepper, or Italian seasoning. Top with extra Parmesan and optional red pepper flakes.

Quick One-Page Cooking Version:
10. **Cook pasta → brown chicken → brown sausage → sauté zucchini → add tomato paste + marinara → return chicken → toss with pasta → wilt spinach → add mozzarella + Parmesan → cover until melted.**

NOTES
- For this dish, zucchini + spinach is the best pairing. The zucchini adds texture while the spinach blends into the sauce without making the pasta too vegetable-heavy.
- Use mozzarella for the creamy, stretchy melt and Parmesan for salty, savory flavor. Using both gives the best result.