It was a productive weekend ’round these parts!
True to our word, Ben and I got up early on Saturday morning then got to cleanin’! While he tackled the basement, I emptied the closets in both my office and our guest bedroom, then attacked the hall closet. I will admit to opening it every single time I passed by to admire my handiwork. Gosh, de-cluttering is just good for the soul!
By the way, I must share this genius little tip I saw on Pinterest awhile ago – place all the pieces in a sheet set inside one of the pillowcases to keep them all together. So clever! Place a dryer sheet inside to keep them smelling fresh (that’s my addition.)
We worked from 8am until nearly 3pm then decided to reward our hard work with dinner out at our favorite Mexican restaurant – say it with me, Monterrey! – later that night with a couple of our besties. After waiting for them at the table for 15 minutes I texted to see what was up, and tragically learned they had gone to the restaurant’s other location. Damn, I thought that only happened in the movies! They had to go pick up their kids from their parents house, so we called it a night and decided to try again next weekend!
With sore and tired muscles from cleaning and de-cluttering on Saturday, Ben and I slept in this morning, then hightailed it over to to Hy-Vee for Sunday brunch. (Yes, I wear this fleece literally every. single. day. Send help. Nay, new clothes.)
I chose the standard scrambled egg plate with hash browns and bacon,
while my bearded companion enjoyed a ham & cheese omelet.
With EXTRA crispy hash browns. Lucky duck.
One of my girlfriend’s was in from out of town so I visited with her and another friend for a bit this afternoon (LOVE me some girl time) then made an early dinner of Spicy Sausage Pasta Skillet!Â
This is a stand-over-the-stove-shoveling-scorching-hot-food-into-your-mouth kind of meal. That is to say, it’s good. REAL good.
Smoked turkey sausage, shallots and garlic are sauteed then simmered with rotel, half & half, chicken broth and pasta until al dente. A sprinkling of salty parmesan cheese finishes off this easy, 1-skillet supper. (PS do you say supper or dinner? I say both, though I think supper is a mostly Midwest thing…)
Anywho! Start with 12oz smoked turkey sausage. This stuff is pre-cooked and ready to go. SUPER yummy too!
Slice the sausage into rings then add it to the biggest skillet you own (I used a 12″ skillet) with 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil, and 2 chopped shallots, or 1 chopped small onion. Saute for 4-5 minutes, or until the sausage barely starts to curl. If you saute it too long, it’ll get rubbery. Next add 2 minced garlic cloves then saute for 30 more seconds.
Next add in 2 cups chicken broth, 10oz Rotel (name brand for diced tomatoes with green chili) and 1/2 cup half & half. The mild Rotel had the perfect amount of spice for me, but Ben added a few red chili pepper flakes to his bowl for an extra kick.
Bring the mixture to a boil then stir in 8oz cut gluten-free or regular pasta. I used rotini, but you could use shells, penne, rigatoni – just use whatever you’ve got.
Place a lid on top then simmer until the pasta is barely al dente, about 10 minutes. I gave mine a stir once or twice too.
Finally, add 4 cups baby spinach then use a pair of tongs to fold in and cook for 1 more minute – just enough time for the spinach to wilt.
Scoop the pasta into bowls then top with a hearty sprinkling of parmesan cheese!
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Spicy Sausage Pasta Skillet
Description
Spicy Sausage Pasta Skillet is a quick, weeknight skillet supper that's full of bold flavors.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon 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 Rotel
- 1/2 cup half & half
- pepper
- 8oz cut pasta (I used rotini)
- 4 cups baby spinach
- Parmesan cheese, for topping
Directions
- Heat oil in a large skillet (I used a 12" 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. Mixure 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.
Notes
Adapted from America's Test Kitchen, via Kevin & Amanda
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
This pasta was absolutely mouthwatering! Creamy, salty, spicy, satisfying, mm-mm good. There. I said it.
Plus, hello, bonus points for only needing 1 skillet – whee!
Hope you had a fantastic weekend, friends! Have a great week, too!
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel 03.04.2013
Now you have me craving pasta and breakfast!
AC 03.04.2013
We prefer El Rodeo… Monterrey was just too salty for us!
I was raised saying both… dinner is the biggest meal of the day. Nobody says “a light dinner”… but, you can have a “light lunch” or a “light supper”… Makes sense to me! :-)
Jodea @ chillichocolatelove.com 03.04.2013
Currently in a state of mild panic because my favourite black fleece is in the laundry pile…
A Reference For My Fellow Iowans | Creative Carnivores 03.03.2013
[…] most recent post that exhibits this type of writing is “Spicy Sausage Pasta Skillet” where she begins her recipe talking about her […]
Rhonda 03.03.2013
Growing up an Eastern Iowa (almost farm) girl, we called it supper. But my MN raised husband says dinner
Bek @ Crave 03.03.2013
Haha how unfortunate! Hopefully you still enjoyed the mexican food?
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl 03.03.2013
Organization just makes my heart smile! ;) It is such a refreshing feeling to clean/organize.
LOVE Hy-Vee breakfast. It is just way too dang good!
That pasta dish sounds great. I would love to try it with a vegan sausage. Have you ever tried the Field Roast brand vegan sausage? It is amazing!!
Nina @ Too Hottie For That Body 03.03.2013
Yummy! This would be a perfect dish for the kiddo and me when my husband is away at the fire house. Oh and we say dinner by the way. The real question is do you call soft drinks soda, pop or Coke? My husband thinks its rediculous that in Texas we called everything coke. Do you want a coke? Okay what kind? It was really confusing during my waitressing days ;)
laura 03.03.2013
Am reading a great book, Born to Run by Christopher McDougall, and just got to a chapter where it talked about the benefits of the chia seed. It made me think of your yummy parfaits! :0)
Nicole @ Fruit 'N' Fitness 03.03.2013
As always your dinner looks great! Your closet looks amazing, I love when things are neat and organized, but im horrible at taking the time to do it
Jeri Wendzel 03.03.2013
I don’t blame you for wearing the same fleece. I say, whatever it takes to keep you warm. It’s getting very depressing here in Iowa. I find myself staying inside more just so I CAN wear the same warm thing over and over.
Rose Ann 03.03.2013
Already shopped for this week but I will be making this next week for sure! And I know I will love it. Made your Ditalini Soup for the umpteenth time this week!
A home organizer gave me that tip years ago and have been doing it ever since! Love an organized closet :)
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health 03.03.2013
I love that tip from Pinterest. Did you get your fleece from Target? If so, I have the same one that I wear to work everyday. Can’t beat cheap comfy clothes! :)
Michelle Naomi 03.03.2013
YUM! This looks delicious. I’m totally going to add it as one of 2 new recipes to the meal plan next week. And the only thing I’ll need to buy is the sausage..score!
Love your blog and recipes :)
Heather 03.03.2013
I love your blog! I have made many a dish from your blog! I must be channeling you lately … Hickory Park last week when traveling to Ames because I had read about your trip and the Saucy Southerner! Today ironically my fiancée and I did some spring cleaning and before you posted we too went to Hy-Vee Sunday brunch!
Jodie 03.03.2013
It must be a Midwest Man thing, because my husband has had full facial hair these days as well!!!! People at works too! My E finally shaved it tonight after 3 months. Although, we have seen Hulk Hogan, lamb chops, and Ditka tonight before all was gone.
Iowa Girl Eats 03.03.2013
Hahaha!! Ben likes doing that too – oh men and their beards. ;)
Jill Jones 03.03.2013
Love your blog and all of the wonderful original recipes and the Friday post!
Would whole milk work in today’s recipe in lieu of half and half? Thanks, Jill
Iowa Girl Eats 03.03.2013
I think so!
Dara @how_to_eat 03.03.2013
I love that you only need one skillet – it is absolutely genius! I’ve never cooked pasta like this before so I can’t wait to try it! My husband would absolutely love this too…especially because he is normally on clean up duty!
Becky 03.03.2013
Love any idea with spinach lately – thanks! Definitely dinner because supper does sound so country! Every time I read your stuff I am thinking – oh my gosh but that could be me – however – you TOTALLY lost me at Monterey. Try Mi Mexico or El Aguila Real . . . please.
Iowa Girl Eats 03.03.2013
I’ve been to both, but just keep going back to Monterrey! I think everyone has their favorite. :)
Sara 03.03.2013
Yummy! And except for spinach, we always have these ingredients on hand. I meal plan for the month-so March is out- but we’ll be trying this in April!
I think that technically dinner is the biggest meal of your day, whether eaten at midday or in the evening. But if you have your big meal around noontime, then you have had your dinner at noon, and you’ll probably have a supper in the evening.