Pasta with Asparagus and Turkey Sausage

Ingredients:

8 ounces whole wheat rotini or penne;

1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon olive oil;

10 ounces (3 links) sweet Italian turkey sausage;

3 large cloves garlic, minced;

1 teaspoon red pepper flakes;

1 pound thin asparagus, ends snapped off, cut into 1-inch pieces;

1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained;

kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper;

1/2 cup grated parmesan.

Preparation:

Cook pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain, reserving a little pasta water. Set aside. In a large nonstick skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium high heat. Add turkey sausage and brown, 5 to 8 minutes, breaking it up into bite-sized pieces as you go along. Spoon meat on to a plate and set aside. Add remaining 1 teaspoon olive oil to skillet. Add garlic and red pepper flakes and cook 30 to 60 seconds, until fragrant, stirring frequently. 

Add asparagus and cook 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Pour in tomatoes and cooked sausage. Heat through, 1 or 2 minutes. Kill heat. Salt and pepper to taste. 

Add pasta and stir to combine. If a little dry, add some reserved pasta water. Spoon pasta into bowls, sprinkle 1 or 2 tablespoons parmesan over each.