Parmesan Bowtie Skillet

I'm not exactly sure where I got this recipe from. I found the recipe on the back of some scrap paper that I copied down from somewhere. I found it with all my cook books this weekend while packing. I thought I'd try this dish and add some hot Italian sausage to spice it up. ;) Brian, my food critic, said it was definitely a repeater.

Ingredients:
3 cups of bow tie (farfalle) pasta, cooked and drained
1 14oz jar of spaghetti sauce
1/2 c ricotta
1/2 c mozzarella cheese
2 tbsp parmesan cheese
1 package ground Italian sausage (I used hot)

Directions:
1. While I cooked the pasta, I browned the sausage. Drain and set aside.
2. Combine cooked pasta, spaghetti sauce, ricotta cheese, mozzarella, and parmesan cheese in a skillet. Bring to a simmer. Reduce heat and add sausage.
3. Cook ten minutes.
4. Remove from heat. You can sprinkle with extra mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese depending on your liking.

Serving suggestion: Garlic bread and/or a side salad

Makes enough for leftovers for lunch tomorrow!

Italian Sausage Soup

This dish is a perfect meal for these cooler months that are approaching. It made a lot so there were plenty of leftovers. My friend Tracey got this recipe from her friend Kelly. Thanks for passing it along to me! It was a big hit in our house. The recipe calls for mild Italian sausage, which I used. I think next time I make it, I'll try hot sausage. We like the kick the "hot" give us. :)

Ingredients
1 lb of mild (or hot) Italian sausage
1 medium onion chopped
1 medium green pepper chopped
28 oz can of crushed tomato
2- 8 oz cans of tomato sauce
2- 8 oz cans of water
3 chicken bullion cubes
3/4 tsp of garlic salt
1/2 tsp oregano
1 TBSP parsley
3/4 cup of macaroni noodles
shredded mozzarella cheese


Directions:
1. Brown sausage, pepper and onion. Drain.
2. Stir in the remaining ingredients except the noodles. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
3. Add macaroni. Cover and simmer 10 more minutes.
4. Serve and top with cheese. YUM!!!!