Pasta with Spinach and Sausage

From Real Simple

Ingredients

1 package smoked beef or turkey sausage 

3/4  pound penne 

3 tablespoons unsalted butter 

1 bell pepper, sliced 

1 teaspoon chopped fresh or 1/2 tsp dried thyme 

1 packed cup spinach
1 cup beef broth 

kosher salt and black pepper

 

Directions

1. Slice the sausage and sauté until browned.
2. Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to the package directions. Reserve ¼ cup of the cooking water; drain the pasta and return it to the pot.
3. While the pasta is cooking, remove sausage and set aside. Add the bell pepper and thyme and cook until tender, 8 to 10 minutes.
4. Add broth to pan and deglaze, scraping up browned bits. Let reduce slightly. 
5. Add pasta, sausage and spinach to the pepper mixture. Stir to wilt the spinach slightly. Add the reserved cooking water, if too dry. Season with salt and pepper

Notes from Jill's Kitchen: The original recipe called for meatballs instead of sausage, which I actually think would be delicious, but I had sausage on hand and that was delicious, too.