HUNK OF MEAT MONDAY: CHEESY SAUSAGE PASTA

Posted by Lori~

Steve and I recently booked an all inclusive get-away to Mexico AND I CANNOT WAIT!  It was the perfect time for us to get away (much needed) and this has MAJORLY MOTIVATED me to get with operation QUANTUM LEAP…yes, I know…I have been Quantum Leaping for some time.

One component of Operation Quantum Leap is to eat healthier.  Steve and I have basically cut ALL MEAT out of our diet with the exception of seafood. This recipe however does not fit into this category.  (On a side note, I LOVE MEAT, AND I DO NOT NECISSARILY THINK IT IS UN-HEALTHY.  However, not eating meat means fewer trips to the McDonalds drive-through.  NO BIG MACS FOR ME!).

Back to the recipe, we have decided that we will eat all meat that is currently in our fridge and freezer and we happened to have several packages of deer sausage (thank you Justine)!

A quick trip to Pinterest and a search for sausage pasta and I came across this recipe.  THANK YOU BITCHIN’ KITCHEN!

I basically had everything to make the recipe, but needed to make a few changes.  So, here it goes (my version).

Supplies needed:

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 14-ounce package smoked turkey sausage, sliced into rounds (I actually used Deer Sausage (3 large pieces)) 
1 1/2 cup diced onion

1 Tablespoon chopped garlic
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth (I used beef broth)

1 10-ounce can Ro-Tel Tomatoes and Green Chiles, Original Style (I used spicy!)
1/2 cup heavy cream (I used whole milk)
8 ounces uncooked penne pasta (about 2 1/2 cups) (I used spaghetti noodles)
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 1/2 cups Monterey Jack cheese, shredded (I used Mexican cheese and more like 2 cups)
Thinly sliced scallions (I did not have scallions)
Salt, to taste

For this recipe, make sure you use a pan that can go in the oven!  Heat your pan and heat your oil. Add the sausage and onion.  Cook!  Add the garlic, broth, Ro-Tel, Milk, uncooked pasta, and pepper.  Stir.

Bring to a boil and then reduce heat and cover.  Cook until pasta is tender (It took me around 15 minutes).

Add the cheese (mix some in and dump some on top).  Broil until cheese is melted and golden brown.

I would love to try the recipe following it exactly, however I wanted to crash my cupboard and make it using supplies I already had!

And guess what, it was bubbly sausage cheesy YUM!