Italian Pasta Soup

I know I have been on a soup/ stew kick lately, but I just can't help it. This time of year just screams for delicious one pot meals and when done right, a one pot meal can be a healthy and balanced meal option. This recipe is a good one for those that "swear they can't cook." You can make this soup and wow your family and friends!

This meal can be gluten free if the right ingredient choices are made. This recipe does have pasta, so just grab your favorite GF pasta. I opted for a whole wheat bow tie pasta. Don't choose a spaghetti type pasta. Opt for a smaller, thicker pasta. Also, check ingredients on your sausage for traces of gluten.

My favorite packaged tomato produces are made by Muir Glen Organic. Their cans are all BPA free and state gluten free right there on the label. They don't add in unnecessary ingredients as fillers. If you can't jar your own, Muir Glen Organic is the next best thing. 

Hubs opted to add some mozzarella cheese on top which looked delicious! Some days I so wish I could enjoy cheese on top of things. Hope everyone is having a wonderful week!

Printable Recipe Here!

Italian Pasta Soup

DF

Ingredients:

1/4 cup chopped basil

about 1 1/4 lb Italian sausage, casings removed (I used turkey sausage)

1 14 oz can fire roasted tomatoes

 15 oz can tomato sauce 

1/2, 6 oz can tomato paste

3/4 T dried Italian seasoning 

32 oz low sodium chicken broth

1/2 t onion powder

1/2 t freshly ground black pepper

8 oz your favorite pasta

What to do:

Chop your basil.

In a large dutch oven or pot, brown your sausage until almost completely cooked through.  If your sausage is sticking a bit too much, add a splash of your chicken broth.

Add in fire roasted tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, onion power, salt, and pepper. Include juices from fire roasted tomatoes.

Stir it all together. 

Pour in your chicken broth and stir one more time.

Bring the mixture up to a boil and allow to cook for 10 minutes.

Add in your pasta of choice and allow to cook until al dente (check box for cooking times).

That's it! Top your soup with the chopped basil and parmesan or mozzarella cheese (if you're one of the lucky ones) and grab a spoon!

Thanks Y'all!

Wise Wife

Go To Sausage Pasta

OH how scary the weather has been the past two days. Tornadoes, flooding, thunderstorms, the damage is unbelievable. My thoughts and prayers go out to those that are suffering from damage across the south. We always underestimate the damage will be when a storm approaches. We have a "that will never happen to me" attitude. After hearing from friends of friends who have lost their houses, I stop and remember how precious our life is. Take these storms seriously and remember it is always better to be safe than sorry! Hubs and I were in the bathroom at 2:00 AM huddled around our dogs praying the tornado wouldn't hit. We were so lucky and the storm passed on by with no damage, but I know other areas were not. 

Pasta is always something I tend to go to when the weather is gloomy outside. It is one of those meals that just makes you feel good. Not to mention every time Hubs comes home and sees pasta on the counter he gets ecstatic! What can I say, I strive to make Hubs happy. Lets make some pasta!

I use almond milk in this recipe. As always, feel free to reach for dairy milk if you want! 

printable recipe here!!

Go To Sausage Pasta 

GF/DF

Ingredients:

1 box (8 oz) gluten free pasta (I used penne)

1 pound ground sausage (I used pork)

1/2 red onion

1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes (check for gluten!!)

1/2 - 1 t crushed red pepper 

 1 1/2 t dried basil

1 cup almond milk

salt to taste

1 box frozen chopped spinach 

What to do:

Cook your pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside. 

Dice your onion.

Grab a large, deep skillet. You really need a skillet with high sides so your yumminess doesn't spill over the edge!

Add your sausage into your skillet.

Using a wooden spatula, break up the sausage and brown over medium heat until no longer pink.

Toss in your onion and sauté until slightly translucent, about 5 minutes.

Add in your crushed tomatoes and stir everything together.

Season with your crushed red pepper, salt, and basil and give everything a good stir. 

Add in your almond milk, stir, and bring to a slight simmer for about 15 minutes. 

While your sauce flavors are marrying, get your spinach defrosted. I just popped it in the microwave on defrost for about 3 minutes, Squeeze out any excess liquid. 

Lay your spinach between paper towels and press down removing as much water as you can. 

Toss your spinach into the tomato sauce on the stove and stir it all together. 

Finally, add your cooked pasta into your sauce and stir.

Grab a fork and fill your belly! Per usual, Gunner had is eyes on the prize.

Thanks Y'all!

-Wise Wife 

Spicy Sausage Tomato pasta

So I didn't realize until late in the day, but yesterday was national wine day!! Perfect excuse to enjoy a glass with supper. Since I was opening up a bottle anyway, I figured I would use wine in supper. I had some sausage in the fridge that a friend of ours gave us that I wanted to use. It was DELICIOUS! It was real, homemade sausage. I through together an easy spicy sausage. You can always adjust the levels of spice if you are sensitive to that. 

Happy National Wine Day!!

Spicy Sausage Tomato Pasta

GF, DF 

click here for printable recipe

Ingredients:

1/2 white onion

2 T fresh parsley

1 fresh jalapeño

1 green pepper

3 cloves garlic

1box GF pasta

1 T GF, DF butter

1 T olive oil 

1 pound ground sausage, I used pork 

4 oz tomato paste 

1/4 t crushed red pepper

1/4 t cayenne

1 t dried basil

1/2 t paprika

pinch of salt and pepper

What to do:

First lets get all of our ingredients ready to go.

Dice your onion.

Dice your jalapeño. If you are heat sensitive I suggest removing the seeds and pith (the white inside)

Mince your garlic. I cheated and used my little garlic mincer :) 

Chop your green peppers 

Roughly chop your parsley

Cook your pasta according to package directions.

While pasta is cooking, heat olive oil and butter substitute in a large skillet over medium heat. 

Once the butter has melted, Add in your sausage.

Using a wooden spoon, break up the sausage so it will evenly brown. Cook until no long pink, about 4 minutes.

Add in your onions, jalapeño, and garlic.

Stir and cook until the onions soften, about 5 minutes. 

Add in green pepper and seasoning.

Add in your tomatoes and tomato paste and stir to combine.

Add in your mushrooms, stir, and bring to a simmer, allowing to cook for about 10 minutes or until the mushrooms has softened.

Add in your coconut cream and stir to completely combine and to help melt to coconut cream. Taste your sauce and add salt if you need to.

Add your sauce in with your cooked and drained pasta and stir to create your dish!

Top with your chopped parsley and serve. I served mine with a side salad.

Thanks Y'all!

-Wise Wife