100th Post! Sausage and Penne Marinara

I feel like I should celebrate (or win something) since my recipe is the 100th post on this blog!!

Here is a new favorite of mine!  It's nice to have something besides chicken and hamburger.  This recipe is delish and totally easy~

Sausage and Penne Marinara


2 1/2 cups uncooked penne pasta
1 lb. Italian sausage links, cut into 1 in pieces
1 large onion, halved and sliced
1 medium green pepper, sliced
1 Tbsp. Canola oil
1 can (14 1/2 oz.) stewed tomatoes, cut up
1 can (8 oz.) tomato sauce
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. dried basil
1 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
Grated Parmesan cheese, optional

Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook the sausage, onion and green pepper in oil over medium heat until sausage is no longer pink and vegetables are tender. Add the tomatoes, tomato sauce and seasonings; heat through.

 Drain pasta; toss with tomato mixture. Sprinkle with cheese if desired.

Pancakes!

This is the pancake recipe we always use from the Better Homes and Garden cookbook! Enjoy!

1 cup flour
1 Tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 beaten egg
1 cup milk
1 Tablespoons canola oil

Stir together dry ingredients. In a separate bowl mix the wet ingredients. Mix together. I use a whisk to mix the ingredients and I usually add more milk to thin the batter out. (I probably add 1/4 to a 1/2 cup more milk because I don't like thick pancakes. I do this when everything is already mixed and just eye ball the milk.) Cook in a pan with oil until lightly browned. Our family likes to add chocolate chips to the pancakes for a special treat!

Chicken Enchilada Soup

This is my favorite soup to make because it's so yummy and so simple!  My dad always requests me to make this for him.  Try it out!

1 can Ranch Style Beans

1 can Rotel tomatoes with chilies

16 oz. chicken broth

1 family size can of cream of chicken soup

1 can dices green chilies, mild (I leave this out)

cooked, diced chicken

fresh cilantro
tortilla chips

Combine all ingredients in a pan and cook. Serve with lime, cheese, and tortilla chips.

Quick N Healthy Black Bean Chili

Total Cook Time: 20-30 min Serves 8-10 

• 1.5 lbs of ground turkey or 90/10 hamburger
• 1 Pkt Chili Seasonings
• 2 C diced tomatoes (w/ juice)
• 1C(small) diced green chilies (w/ juice) 
• 3 C Black Beans (w/ juice)
• 1 C Corn (drained)
• 1 Boulion Cube (chicken)
• 3 C water
• 1-2 tsp Cumin
• 1 tsp Cayenne Pepper (Ground) if desired
• 1/3 C Dried Chopped Onions

Brown meat, add in 1/2 of chopped onions. 
Once cooked strain and rinse. 
Return meat back to stock pot add in Chili Seasonings, Boulion Cube, Cumin, Cayenne (if desired) and remaining chopped onions and water. Bring to a boil and let boil for a few min allowing some of the water to cook off. 
While boiling add in Tomatoes, Chilies & Corn and allow to boil for apx 2-5 min. Stir occasionally to keep from scorching bottom. 
Add in Beans while boiling reduce heat and allow to simmer for 10 to 15 min. 


Top with Sour Cream or Cheese Cubes and serve in a bread bowl! 


Dani

Creamy Comfort Potato Soup

Serves 6. Prep time 15min Cook time about 15min.

• 6-10 med/small white potatoes (cubed & boiled w or w/out skins)
• 1 cup chopped carrots (boiled w potatoes) 
• 1 onion chopped
• 1 T butter
• 1 C heavy cream
• 1 can E milk 
• 2 C water
• 1 chicken boulion cube
• 1 can corn
• 1 can cream of chicken
• salt, pepper & celery salt to taste
• abt 2/3 C Instant potatoes 

Boil potatoes & carrots till tender then drain and set aside.
Return stockpot to stove & saute onions w/ butter.
once onions are ready add in water, chicken boulion cube and cream of chicken then bring to a boil. 
Add in corn & continue to boil for a few min add in potatoes & carrots & continue to boil for a few more min. 
Reduce heat to a simmer add in cream and milk. 
Season w salt, pepper (abt 1 Tbs) & celery salt (abt 2 tsp) to taste.
Use a potato masher to break up potatoes, carrots and corn a little but not into mush. 
Finally add in Instant potatoes 1/2 C at a time to thicken the soup up!

It tastes awesome with sourdough or you can add in ham or bacon... Parmesan is not a delicious add in lol.

Cranberry Chicken

I found this easy recipe and it's pretty yummy! I made it for ladies at a church Christmas Dunner and also for a school staff luncheon. You could also cook it in the crockpot on low for about 6 hours-


6 whole chicken breasts (deboned and skinless)
16 oz. can whole cranberry sauce
8 oz. French dressing
1 pkg. dry onion soup mix

Make sauce mixing cranberry sauce, dressing and soup mix. Pour over chicken breasts in glass baking dish. Marinate for about 4 hours. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 Serves 6to 8.

Spinach, Apple, and Pecan Salad

This recipe is totally easy and so scrumptious!  I have made it 3 times in the past week for different gatherings and everyone has given me the best compliments.  This is one that you want to add to your favorites!  Yum, yum, yum!

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 1/2 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon prepared mustard
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• apple slices, cut into bite-size pieces (prize slice apples from costco)
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
• spinach leaves
• 1/2 cup toasted pecans

In a large serving bowl whisk together oil, vinegar, mustard, sugar, salt and pepper.  Just before serving add apples, onion, spinach and pecan.  Toss until well coated with dressing.

{Smart Cooking The Costco Way}