Easy Pasta with Sausage & Broccoli

*adapted from Real Simple, September 2009

PREP: 20 minutes
SERVES: 4

INGREDIENTS:
12 oz rigatoni (about 4 1/2 cups)
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 onion, sliced
6 oz fully cooked chicken (or turkey) sausage links, sliced
1 small head broccoli, cut into florets and stems sliced
1/4 cup grated Parmesan (1 oz)

DIRECTIONS:
1. Cook the pasta according to the package directions.
2. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the sausage, stirring until browned, about 3 minutes. Add the onion and broccoli, stirring often, for 3 minutes. Add 1 1/4 cups water and simmer, covered, until the broccoli is tender, 5 to 6 minutes.
3. Toss the pasta with the sausage mixture and any remaining liquid and the Parmesan.

Not Your Mama's Meatloaf

*adapted from allrecipes.com "Brown Sugar Meatloaf", this is a slightly healthier version

PREP: 20 minutes
COOK TIME: 1 hour
SERVES: 8

INGREDIENTS:
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup ketchup
1 pound lean ground beef
1 pound lean ground turkey
3/4 cup milk
2 eggs
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1 small onion, chopped
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1 cup wheat bread crumbs
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 2 1/2 quart baking dish.
2. Mix the brown sugar and ketchup in a small bowl. Spread 1/3 of the brown sugar and ketchup mixture in the bottom of the baking dish.
3. In a large mixing bowl, mix thoroughly all remaining ingredients. Scoop meat mixture into the baking dish and then top with the rest of the brown sugar and ketchup mixture.
4. Bake, uncovered, for 1 hour, or until juices are clear.

I recommend serving this with Denise's Mashed Potatoes.

Denise's Mashed Potatoes

INGREDIENTS:
potatoes (whatever type you like to make mashed potatoes from)
cream cheese
garlic powder
onion powder
Italian seasoning
salt & pepper
butter
milk

DIRECTIONS:
Remove about half of the potato skins. Boil potatoes until soft. Drain and mash potatoes, adding the other ingredients to taste.

Enjoy lots of oohs and ahhs over your delicious mashed potatoes!

Gail's Bean Soup

SERVES: 6-8

INGREDIENTS:
bean soup mix (~16-oz. pkg.; discard the seasoning pkg. in the bag)
1/2 - 3/4 lb. ham, diced
1 can stewed tomatoes
1 can whole tomatoes
*optional: add garlic, onion or onion powder, or pepper for additional flavor

PREP:
Soak beans overnight in a covered container.

DIRECTIONS (with a crock pot):
Combine all ingredients and add enough water to cover. Cook on high for at least 4 hours, or on low for at least 8 hours.

DIRECTIONS (without a crock pot):
Combine all ingredients and add enough water to cover. Bring to boil and then simmer for 3 hours.

I recommend serving this with cornbread!