Chicken Sausage Pasta Salad

There is nothing that beats a light, delicious and easy pasta salad during the summer months. Especially when I am feeling lazy and can make it early in the day so come dinner time, all I have to do is pull it out of the refrigerator. Which is exactly what I did last night with this Chicken Sausage Pasta Salad.

Ingredients...

1 pound orzo pasta, or other small pasta

4 whole flavored chicken sausages, cubed (they have them at Sam's, Kroger's and Trader Joe's in a variety of flavors... I used Aidell's Italian Style)

8 whole sun-dried tomatoes, finely chopped

8 oz. mozzarella, diced

1/2 cups olive oil

1 whole lemon

1/2 t. garlic powder

fresh ground black pepper

crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Directions...

Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain and pour into a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil to keep it from sticking ( I also used the remaining oil from the sun-dried tomatoes). I added baby spinach because that's what my sister did and it's a great way to sneak in those leafy greens.  Set aside. In large skillet, sear the chicken sausages until they are browned and heated through. Cube the chicken sausages and add to pasta. Mix in tomatoes, and mozzarella. Season with garlic powder, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over salad and add more oil if needed. Garnish with fresh flat leaf parsley or any other fresh herb. This is a dish you could really be creative with!!!