Spicy Sausage Pasta

This is a skillet meal that is super fast to whip together and will likely please the most picky of eaters. It is very similar to the Smoked Sausage Skillet Pasta that I have also posted. Minus the spinach in the smoked sausage version it is basically the same dish. What can I say, I guess I liked it. You can use any pasta you like, but I used Campanelle pasta just because it looks fun. I found this dish to be a little runny but that was likely because I used a bigger can and didn't drain the tomatoes before adding them. You could play around with it to see if draining would help. All in all, a good weeknight dinner for hungry tummies.

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Serves: 4

INGREDIENTS:
1 tbsp olive oil
1 lb smoked sausage
1 1/2 cups diced onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chiles (mild, but its up to you)
1/2 cup heavy cream
8oz Campanelle pasta
1/2 tsp salt and pepper, each
1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
1/3 cup thinly sliced scallions

DIRECTIONS:
Add olive oil to an oven-safe skillet over medium high heat until just smoking. Add sausage and onions and cook until lightly browned, about 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

Add broth, tomatoes, cream, pasta, salt and pepper and stir. Bring to a boil, covet skillet, and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer until pasta is tender, about 15 minutes.

Remove skillet from heat and stir in 1/2 cup cheese.  Top with remaining cheese and sprinkle with scallions. Broil until cheese is melted, spotty brown and bubbly.

Turkey Sausage Bow Tie Skillet

I have really been into skillet meals lately aka anything that requires a few ingredients and is super simple to make.  Life is all about whatever is easiest these days.  This dish comes together in one pan and is a cinch to make.  It freezes and reheats beautifully so you'll want to fix extras.  Even my toddler liked it so you know it will be a crowd-pleaser.

Prep time: 15 mins
Cook time: 25 mins
Serves: 4

INGREDIENTS:
8 oz uncooked bow tie or rotini pasta
1lb Smokey Turkey Sausage, cut into 1/4 inch rounds
1 package sliced mushrooms
2 tbsp butter
2 tsp minced garlic
1 tbsp cornstarch
1 1/2 cups milk
1 1/2 cups fresh snow peas
1 cup (4 oz) shredded cheddar cheese

DIRECTIONS:
Cook pasta according to package directions.  Meanwhile in a large skillet, saute sausage and mushrooms in butter. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer.

Combine cornstarch and milk until smooth; gradually add to the skillet.  Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.  Drain pasta; add to sausage, mixture.  Stir in the peas and cheese; cook until cheese is melted.

Smoked Sausage Pasta Skillet

I have been searching for easy recipes that are quick and delicious and found this win by Iowa Girl Eats (again!). It is a 1-skillet meal that is hearty and satisfying. I loved the creamy texture as well as the punch of spinach.  Even the husband liked it, so it's a keeper!

Prep time: 15 mins
Cook time: 20 mins
Serves: 6

INGREDIENTS:
1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
12oz smoked turkey sausage, sliced
2 large shallots or 1 small onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups chicken broth
10oz can diced tomatoes (use a spicy variety if you want a little more kick)
1/2 cup half & half
Pepper
8oz cut pasta, such as rotini
4 cups baby spinach
Parmesan cheese, for topping

DIRECTIONS:
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sausage and shallots then saute until sausage is slightly curled, about 5 minutes (do not over cook or sausage will become rubbery). Add garlic then cook for 30 more seconds, stirring constantly.

Turn heat up to high then add chicken broth, tomatoes, half & half, and pepper. Mixture may look curdled but it's fine. Bring to a boil then add pasta and stir to combine. Place a lid on top then simmer for 10 minutes or until pasta is al dente., stirring once or twice. Add spinach then stir to combine and cook until wilted, about 1 minute. Serve topped with Parmesan cheese.

Sausages with acorn squash and onions

This could very well be my new favorite winter meal.  So easy to prep and cook on a busy weeknight.  The sweet squash and salty sausage and cheese make this dish so tasty. We practically slurped this up in one sitting!

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Serves: 4

INGREDIENTS:
1 large acorn squash, halved, seeded and cut into 1/2 inch slices
1 red onion, cut into 1/4 inch wedges
3 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper
4 hot or sweet Italian sausages
1/2 cup grated Asiago cheese (2 oz)
1 tbsp chopped fresh sage leaves
1/4 cup dried cherries or cranberries, chopped

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 475 degrees. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss squash and onion with oil and arrange in an even layer.  Season with salt and pepper. Add sausages to sheet.  Roast until vegetables are just tender, 15 to 18 minutes.  Heat broiler. Sprinkle Asiago and sage over vegetables and broil until cheese is browned and bubbling and sausages are cooked through, 3 minutes. Sprinkle with cherries to serve.

Sweet Potato-Sausage Soup

This is another great soup recipe from Everyday Food. This soup caught my eye because it has many of my favorite things.  I chose to use spicy Italian sausage instead to add a little heat and really liked the substitution. Serve with Parmesan and your favorite crusty bread.

Prep time: 20 mins
Cook time: 40 mins
Serves: 6

INGREDIENTS:
1 tbsp olive oil
1 large yellow onion, diced large
2 cloves garlic, minced
salt and pepper
3/4 lb sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
2 sweet potatoes (1 lb total), peeled and diced medium
4 cups chicken broth
3/4 cup small pasta shells
4 cups roughly chopped mixed greens, such as kale and Swiss chard
Grated Parmesan

DIRECTIONS:
In a large pot, heat oil over medium-high.  Add onion and garlic and cook until onion is translucent, about 6 minutes; season with salt and pepper.  Add sausage and cook, breaking up meat with wooden spoon, until browned, about 5 minutes. 

Add sweet potatoes, broth and 2 cups of water and bring to a boil.  Add pasta and cook 3 minutes less than package instructions. Reduce to a simmer, add greens, and cook until pasta is tender and greens are wilted, 4 minutes. Serve with  Parmesan.