Spicy Smoked Sausage Pasta

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb spicy smoked sausage
• 1 cup diced onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 (10 oz) can Ro-Tel tomatoes and green chiles, Mild
• 1/8 cup chopped roasted red peppers (optional)
• 1/8 cup diced jarred jalepenos (optional for more heat)
• 1/2 cup heavy cream or half and half
• 8 oz penne pasta
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 1/2 - 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 1/3 cup thinly sliced scallions or sub dried parsley flakes

Directions

1. Add olive oil to an oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add sausage and onions and cook until lightly browned, about 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
2. Add broth, Ro-tel, optional red peppers and jalepenos, cream, pasta, salt and pepper and stir. Bring to a boil, cover skillet, and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer until pasta is tender, 15-20 minutes. Stir every few minutes.
3. Remove skillet from heat and stir in 1 cup cheese. Top with remaining cheese and sprinkle with scallions. Broil until cheese is melted, spotty brown, and bubbly.