Sweet-Apple Chicken Sausage Pasta

• 1 lb. gemelli pasta (reserve 1/2 cup pasta cooking water)
• 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 12oz al-fresco sweet-apple chicken sausage, sliced
• 1 apple (about 1 cup, chopped)
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
• pinch red chili pepper
• salt and pepper to taste
• 15oz can great northern beans, drained and rinsed
• 6 oz spinach
• 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese

1. Cook pasta in large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta cooking water drain the rest and set aside. 

2. Meanwhile, heat extra virgin olive oil in a very large skillet over medium high heat. Add onion and sausage. Saute until sausage is golden brown, about 4 minutes. Add apple, garlic and red chili powder. Season with salt and pepper. Saute about 5 minutes. 

3. Add chicken broth, beans and spinach. Toss until spinach is wilted, about 1 minute. 

4. Pour sausage and apple mixture into pot with pasta and add parmesan cheese. Stir until combined, adding reserved water to reach desired consistency. 

* I got this recipe from Iowagirleats blog. The al-fresco chicken sausage is so good. I recommend adding it to other recipes!