Jinked

That dollar amount is right.  I’m thinking of starting up a new blog that revolves around thrifty cooking.  Not many people cook anymore, especially when we work so much.  Despite my 9+ hours I spend at work, I still like finding time to cook quick, tasty meals from scratch.

What’s on the menu today?  One friendly concoction I like to call Spicy Italian Sausage in Tomato Cream Sauce.

Quite a mouthful, I know.  Here’s the shopping list rundown:

• Barilla Whole Wheat Rotini Pasta – $1.49
• Generic 28 oz. Can Crushed Tomatoes – $1.45
• Fresh Hot Italian Pork Sausage (a little over a pound) – $3.35
• Very Large Green Bell Pepper – $0.82
• Head of Garlic – $0.20
• GRAND TOTAL – $7.31

I normally have garlic on hand, but I ran out.  Not that it’s expensive anyhow.

Spicy Italian Sausage in Tomato Cream Sauce
Total Time to Make: Aprox 45 min
Serves: 4-6

Ingredients:

• 1 Box Dry Pasta
• Olive / Vegetable / Canola Oil
• Green Bell Pepper
• 2 Cloves Garlic
• 1 Small Yellow Onion
• 1 pound Spicy Italian Sausage
• Few Tbsp. Italian Spices
• Black and/or Red Pepper
• 28 oz. Can Crushed Tomatoes
• 1/3 cup Milk / Cream / Yogurt

In a large pan, coat the bottom with your favorite oil.  I had olive oil in my cabinet, so I used that.  Heat through on medium low heat and add the bell pepper all chopped up, 2 chopped cloves of garlic and one small chopped yellow onion to the pan.  (I have a whole bag of onions, but if you don’t, add another couple bucks to the total.  I think it takes most people forever to go through a sack of onions.)  Cook until softened.

Next, take the Italian sausages and cut the casings off with a pair of scissors.  Put into the pan and break apart with a big spoon.  Add a few tablespoons of spices like Italian seasoning, oregano, maybe a little bit or rosemary or thyme whatever you have in your cabinet. I just used good ol’ Italian seasoning.  Cook the sausage all the way through until no longer pink.  Use medium heat.

TIP! If you don’t have any spices on hand, look for bulk spices at your local supermarket.  They are usually kept by the produce and are tons cheaper than the spices you buy in the little bottles in the spice aisle.

Add the whole can of crushed tomatoes to the pan and stir.  Let the sauce come to a boil and turn heat to low.  Add black pepper or red pepper, whatever you have available if you want a little more of a kick.  I added both.

While the sauce simmers, bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the noodles as per the package instructions.

When the noodles are done, drain and set aside.  At that time add 1/3 cup milk, cream or plain yogurt (again, whatever you have on hand) to the sauce mixture and heat through. I used whole milk.  Do not let the sauce come to a boil or you will scald the milk.  If you wish to turn this into a pink vodka sauce, add a couple tablespoons of vodka when you add the milk.  I didn’t use vodka this time around.

Serve sauce over pasta and you’re done!  Complimenting with a salad or bread is completely optional.  I for one find this dish in itself quite satisfying.  Serves 4-6, depending on how hungry you and your family is!

Happy eating!