Pasta e Fagioli Soup

I have been wanting to make this recipe for awhile now, but the weather was too nice for soup.  Then yesterday it was cold and windy, so I thought I'd better hurry up and make it before I lose my chance!

This soup is really hearty, and spicy.  I put waaay too much pasta in it, but everyone liked it anyway, so it worked out. :)

Ingredients:
2 tsp olive oil
1 lb Italian sausage
1/2 - 1 onion, diced
1/2 - 1 cup celery, diced
1/2 - 1 cup matchstick carrots
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cans diced tomatoes
2 cans kidney or white beans, drained
4 cups chicken broth
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp basil
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
salt and pepper, to taste
1 cup small pasta (I put at least 2 cups in!)
1-2 cups baby spinach, chopped (optional)
freshly grated parmesan cheese, garnish (optional)

Directions:
Heat olive oil in large soup pot over medium heat.  Add onion, celery and carrots.  Saute for a few minutes until onions are translucent. 

Add sausage and cook until browned and crumbled.  Add garlic and chicken broth.  Pour tomatoes and their juices into the pot.  Drain the beans and add to soup along with the seasonings. 

Simmer partially covered for 1-2 hrs.  When almost ready to serve, bring soup to boil and add in the pasta.  Cook until noodles are soft.  Add more seasonings if necessary.  Add spinach if you want. (I didn't, and it was still excellent!)

Serve with parmesan cheese.

Sausage, Tomato and Arugula Fettuccini

I tried this one last night.  It was so easy (it took 20 min) and turned out super yummy!

Ingredients:

1 (9 oz) pkg fettuccine
1 Tbsp olive oil
6 oz Italian sausage
2 tsp minced garlic
1 pint cherry tomatoes
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 cups baby arugula leaves
2 oz Romano cheese, shaved

Directions:

Cook pasta according to package.  Drain and reserve 2/3 cup cooking liquid.

While pasta cooks, heat oil in large skillet.  Add sausage, cook until browned.  Add garlic, cook 30 seconds.  Stirring constantly.  Add tomatoes and pepper, cover and cook 2 minutes.  Mash tomatoes with the back of a wooden spoon to break them up.  Cover pan, reduce heat to low, and cook 3 minutes.  Remove pan from heat.  Add pasta, reserved 2/3 cup cooking liquid and arugula, toss well.  Sprinkle with Romano cheese.



CREAMY BOLOGNESE AND SPAGHETTI

Oh my yumminess!!! Okay, I don't even think that's a word - but this recipe is soooo delicious! It is very company worthy, not the same old boring spaghetti. And when you pair it with the Macaroni Grill Bread recipe I posted on here - it tastes like you're eating at Johnny Carino's, no kidding!

Ingredients:
1 yellow onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 lb. Jimmy Dean sausage
1-2 c. spaghetti sauce
1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
4 oz cream cheese
2 tsp basil (dry or fresh)
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/4 c. Italian salad dressing
pasta
parmesan cheese

Saute onions and garlic in large skillet on med heat until they begin to be translucent. Add sausage and cook until done, stirring frequently, drain. Stir in spaghetti sauce and tomatoes. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to med-low and simmer 15 min. Remove from heat and stir in cream cheese, seasonings and Italian dressing. Serve hot over cooked and drained pasta. Garnish with parmesan cheese.

Don't forget the Macaroni Grill bread and a nice big salad! ;)