Tag Archives: Sausage

Baked Ziti

Dinner Ideas March 11, 2026 Leave a comment

Sunday dinner on a cold winter day is special. Baked Ziti, a classic comfort food, is perfect for this occasion. Serve it with a fresh green salad and toasted garlic bread. You can use traditional pasta or opt for healthier options like whole wheat, protein, or high-fiber pasta. To keep it simple, I use jarred spaghetti sauce, but homemade sauce works well too. Sometimes, I add cooked Italian sausage or meatballs to enhance the flavor. This dish is easy to prepare and ideal for a cozy family meal.

Ingredients

  • 18-ounce box of Ziti, cook and drain as directed on the box. Do not rinse
  • 3-1/2 cups (32-ounce jar of sauce) spaghetti sauce
  • 2 cups of Ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ¼ cup chopped, fresh parsley
  • 1 egg, slightly beaten
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • 1 tablespoon freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Process

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
  2. Cook pasta according to directions, drain but do not rinse (rinsing pasta prevents sauce from sticking to it).
  3. In a large bowl combine ½ cup of spaghetti sauce, ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, fresh parsley, egg, oregano, garlic powder, pepper and 1 tablespoon of freshly grated parmesan cheese.
  4. In a 3-quart casserole pour another ½ cup of spaghetti sauce on bottom of dish and spread out with a spatula.
  5. Pour contents of ziti mixture into casserole pour remaining spaghetti sauce on top of ziti mixture, sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
  6. Bake covered with aluminum foil for 30-35 minutes or until hot and bubbly

Chicken Sausage & Bean Soup

Dinner Ideas January 15, 2026 Leave a comment

During the chilly embrace of winter, few comforts compare to the warmth and aroma of a hot, steamy bowl of soup. As the cold air bites outside, a steaming soup offers not only nourishment but also a sense of coziness and relaxation. A bowl of steamy soup on a cold winter day is more than just food; it is a comforting experience that restores energy, lifts spirits, and provides a much-needed respite from the harshness of winter weather. Enjoy with a slice of crusty bread and salad.

Ingredients

  • 3 carrots
  • 1 medium onion
  • 8 ounces of kale
  • 1 can (15.5 oz) of cannellini beans, do not drain
  • 1-package Italian Chicken (or Turkey) Sausage
  • 1 32-ounce carton of either chicken broth or stock
  • 1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon of softened butter

Process

  1. Trim, peel, and halve carrot lengthwise, thinly slice crosswise into half-moons. Set aside.
  2. Remove and discard any large stems from kale. Finely chop into small pieces. Set aside.
  3. Peel onion and dice into small pieces.
  4. Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and slowly cook until caramelized for about 10 minutes. Remove from pot.
  5. Turn heat up to medium-high and add sausage. If sausage comes in links, squeeze the meat out of the casing and discard the casing. Flatten the sausage into an even layer. Cook undisturbed until meat is brown on bottom, about 5 minutes.
  6. Break up meat into pieces, then add cooked onion, carrot and kale. Add ½ teaspoon of salt and cook, stirring until carrot is slightly softened and the kale begins to wilt.
  7. Stir in the 32-ounce carton of chicken broth and add the cannellini beans. Bring mixture to a boil and turn heat down so soup can simmer for 10 minutes to continue cooking the sausage and vegetables.
  8. If you want to thicken the soup broth, make a Beurre Manié by mixing 1 tablespoon of softened butter and one tablespoon of flour. Incorporate the flour into the butter with your hands or in a bowl until the flour has completely disappeared.
  9. Whisk into your soup until the Beurre Manié has been completely melted in.