Grilled Vegetables with Pasta and Sausage

Grilled vegetables with pasta is one of my favorite ways to use up vegetables and left over meat. Except in winter when they all go in a pot for soup. This dish is a throw back to my days in college. It is cheap, quick, easy and the variations are endless. Back then I used Top Ramen onions and peppers. On a college budget 10 for $1.00 for Top Ramen was not bad. The grilled vegetables seemed to turn an ordinary plate of noodles into an elegant meal. Throw in some black beans and I had a sustainable meal for all those hiking trips in the mountains.

6 ounces Italian Sausage, chicken, pork, steak or 1 can of black or garbanzo beans,
1 small red onion, sliced
2 zucchini, halved then chopped into 1/2-inch pieces
1 medium bell pepper, sliced
2 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
Pepper
1 pound pasta of you choice

Boil pasta according to package directions.

Meanwhile, heat a skillet on medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook. Remove all but 1 tablespoon of the grease. Add the vegetables. Let cook a few minutes before stirring. Continue sauteing a few minutes longer. The vegetables should be tender but still have a bite to them.

Drain pasta. Dish pasta onto plates or bowls and top with a serving of vegetables.

Serves 4

Variations:
Meats: chicken, steak, pork chops, bacon, black beans, garbanzo beans, Kidney beans, tofu, ect.
Vegetables: eggplant, squash, tomatoes, peas, asparagus, artichoke hearts, bok choy, broccoli, ect.