Healthy recipe: Zucchini noodles and a homemade turkey sausage

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Eating healthy can be tough. But making a few diet changes can help you keep that New Year's resolution. Kroger Chef Paul Dowell has a "pasta" dish that uses strips of zucchini instead of noodles, plus he shows how to make a turkey sausage that cuts the fat and has tons of flavor. He says it's a new favorite at his house, and you would never guess it is one of those "healthy" recipes.

Zucchini "Pasta" in Meat Sauce

Makes 6-8 servings.

Sausage

2 lb. Ground Dark Turkey Meat

2 tsp. Kroger Dried Parsley

2 tsp. Kosher Salt

1 tsp. Kroger Coarse Ground Black Pepper

1 tsp. Kroger Granulated Garlic

1 tsp. Kroger Dried Flaked Onion

1 tsp. Kroger Italian Seasoning

½ tsp. Kroger Crushed Red Pepper Flakes **double if you like spicy**

1 Tbl. Minced Garlic

1-14.5 oz. can Kroger Diced Tomatoes with Juice

2 Tbl. Kroger Tomato Paste

¼ c. Water

½ Tbl. Kroger Italian Seasoning

3 medium Zucchini (cut with Spiralizer or on a mandolin, long strips)

To Taste Salt & Pepper

Combine 1st 8 ingredients to make your own Italian turkey sausage. In a medium bowl, mix together by hand to blend ingredients well. Cover & refrigerate overnight. **NOTE: You can use 2 lbs. of a premade sausage if you prefer.

Heat a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add sausage & cook into crumbles all the way through.

Lower heat to medium & push sausage to the side. Add garlic to that spot & cook until soft, about 2 minutes.

Add diced tomatoes, tomato paste, water & Italian season & bring to a simmer.

Add in the prepared zucchini & toss lightly. Continue to simmer until zucchini is cooked tender. Season to taste with salt & pepper.

This is a great hearty dish that is also great for you. Perfect for these cold winter days!