This is one of those meals that you can cook once, and eat two or three more times! #leftoversaremyjam

Seriously, this pasta bake is going to knock your socks off because not only is it healthy, but it only requires 8 ingredients! 

I recently made this pasta bake for a friend who just had a baby and the text I received the next day was, "so yeaaaa I'm gonna need that recipe." 

ARE YOU READY TO HEALTH-UP YOUR PASTA NIGHT AT HOME? 

Grab some wine or sparkling water and let's make this simple pasta bake feel fancy shmancy! 

INGREDIENTS: 

• 1 tbsp of butter, ghee or olive oil 
• 2 lbs. of Italian sausage (chicken, turkey or pork and remove casings) 
• 1- 15 oz. can organic pumpkin 
• 2 cups tomato marinara sauce
• 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
• 4 cups of kale, chopped
• 1/2 cup feta, add more for serving if you wish 
• 2- 8 oz. boxes of penne pasta (lentil, chickpea, or whole wheat) 

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1.  In a large skillet on medium-high heat, add butter and Italian sausage, breaking apart as it is cooking.

2.  While meat is cooking, cook penne accordingly to packaged directions. Preheat oven to 350 degrees too! 

3.  After meat has finished cooking, add in the pumpkin, tomato marinara sauce, nutmeg and chopped kale.

4.  Stir sauce altogether and let simmer on low for about 5 minutes.

5.  Once pasta has finished cooking, drain and put into a large baking dish. 

6.  Add sauce and feta into the baking dish as well and stir gently together. 
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7.  Bake covered for about 10-15 minutes and enjoy this AMAZING PASTA DISH! 


Always craving health & happiness,
                     Jillian 


P.S. If you're digging this simple & healthy recipe and want more to come to your inbox then check out my new program >>> SIMPLIFY MY MEALS (Doors Close May 21st!)  or join our cozy community list and get yourself a FREE SIMPLE MEAL PLANNER why you're at it! 

MEATS:
✔️ 2 lbs. Applegate hotdogs (no nitrates) 
✔️ 2 lbs. organic ground chicken
✔️ Applegate prosciutto (no nitrates) 
✔️ Applegate pepperoni OR salami (no nitrates)

PANTRY:
✔️ 1 box lentil or chickpea pasta*
✔️ 1 can organic black beans
✔️ 1 can chickpeas/garbanzo beans
✔️ 1- 2 bags of Siete Foods tortilla chips or organic corn chips (Late July is also a great brand) 
✔️ 1 loaf of sourdough bread
✔️ Whole pizza crust or whole wheat tortillas (Brooklyn BRED is a great brand)  
✔️ 1 jar of Organice Marinara Sauce (Muir Glen is a great brand) 
✔️ 1 jar of Organic Salsa

DAIRY:
✔️ 2 blocks sharp cheddar cheese (or you can buy shredded)
✔️ 1 block Monterey Jack cheese (or you can buy shredded) 
✔️ 16 oz. Mozzarella cheese
✔️ Plain Greek Yogurt (Fage and Siggis are great brands we use as "sour cream" for nachos) 

VEGGIES:
✔️ Organic Kale
✔️ Organic Baby Spinach
✔️ Organic Arugula
✔️ Organic broccoli **
✔️ Yellow and Red Pepper 
✔️ 1-2 Avocados 
✔️ 1 Yellow onion

FREEZER: 
✔️ Mini tots (Cascadian Farm and Alexia are good brands) 

SPICES: 
✔️ Garlic Powder
✔️ Dried Basil
✔️ Fresh Cilantro

*If you prefer not to make your own mac-n-cheese, Annie's mac-n-cheese is a healthy shortcut. 
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To make homemade mac-n-cheese, cook pasta according to packaged directions.  Then heat 2-3 tbsp. of butter in a large pot or pan, add in chopped kale or chopped broccoli to saute for 5 minutes.  Next, add in cooked noodles, tons of cheese, a little bit of milk (plain almond milk works too) , salt, pepper, garlic powder and stir altogether.  Once cheese has melted, dive on in friends!