Jackie's Simple Garden Whole Wheat Pasta Recipe

I always make this recipe during the garden season. I make a ton and it freezes well, although it is better fresh out of the pan. This feeds a crowd and is a great way to use up excess garden veggies. You can vary this recipe to whatever veggies, meat or pasta, you happen to have on hand. 

Jackie's Simple Garden Whole Wheat Pasta Recipe

1 lb penne pasta (any kind will do)

1 lb smoked sausage, cut into bite sized pieces (can omit to make this vegetarian, or put in any other kind of meat)

Two cups fresh green beans

½ lb mushrooms, sliced

Any other veggie you have on hand (peas, zucchini, yellow squash, spinach, chard, kale, broccoli, peppers)

¼ cup butter

3 garlic cloves, pressed

¼ tsp dried thyme or 1 tsp freshly chopped thyme leaves

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1 ripe chopped tomato 

Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese

Boil water and cook pasta

While pasta is cooking, saute sausage, remove, then add butter and saute veggies (except tomatoes). When pasta is done, drain, then toss, pasta, veggies, seasoning and sausage together. Toss in chopped tomato. Sprinkle individual servings with Parmesan cheese.