Girl Time & Pasta

I just had THE BEST weekend ever with my girlfriends from college. We got together in Highlands/Cashiers, NC for the wedding of our dear friend Sarah! We haven't been all together in such a long time... Most times our husbands, boyfriends, kids, etc. are around so we don't get as much girl time as we want. This time we all left our families at home and it was just the girls. I haven't had that much fun in ages! Look how beautiful and fun all my besties are:

The Girls

The Girls & The Bride

Needless to say when I got home on Sunday afternoon I was EXHAUSTED! I was hoping to think up a quick, easy meal to chef up, and I remembered a little gem of a recipe that a girl at work had given me. I've made this once before, and tricked Hubs into enjoying some delicious gourds. He hates all things gourd (except pumpkin maybe) and I remembered hearing that Moms around the world puree vegetables and sneak them into sauces and stuff. So I went that route and he swears he knew that squash and zucchini were in there, but I don't believe him! I made it for the second time on Sunday and used HOT turkey sausage and it was even better than I remembered. The original recipe is from Kraft, but here is my slightly modified version:

Turkey Sausage-Vegetable Ragout
Serves 4
(5 WW PP per serving)

Ingredients:

• 8 oz. bowtie pasta
• 10-12 oz. hot Italian turkey sausage (about 2-1/2 to 3 links), casings removed
• 1 small vidalia onion, chopped
• 1 small zucchini, shredded/pureed in food processor
• 2 small yellow squash, shredded/pureed in food processor
• 14.5 oz. can no-salt-added diced tomatoes, undrained
• 2/3 cup PHILADELPHIA Reduced Fat Italian Cheese & Herb Cooking Creme

Directions:

1. Cook pasta as directed on package, omitting salt. Drain and toss liberally in cold water.
2. Cook sausage and onions in large nonstick skillet on medium heat, stirring occasionally to break up sausage.
3. When sausage is done, add zucchini and squash; cook 3 to 4 min., stirring occasionally.
4. Stir in tomatoes and cooking creme; cook 3 min., sitrring occasionally.
5. Combine pasta and sauce and serve!