Spicy Italian Pasta

I wanted to add a little heat to my pasta tonight, so I made it with Hot Italian Turkey Sausage. It was perfect! The mixture of spice with the tomato, garlic, soft spinach and ooozing cheese was fantastic!

 Ingredients:

- 12 ounces whole wheat bow tie or penne whole wheat pasta

- 8 ounces sweet Italian turkey sausage, removed from casings

 - 3 cloves garlic, chopped

- 8 cups baby spinach

- 2 cups cherry tomatoes cut in 1/2 or dried tomatoes

- 1/2 cup finely shredded Romano or Parmesan cheese, plus more to taste

- 1 teaspoon ground pepper

- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt

- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- dash of red pepper flakes 
* Additional ingredients I like to add.....1 squash, 1 zucchini, peas

Directions:

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook pasta until just tender, 9 to 11 minutes, or according to package directions.
2. Meanwhile, cook sausage in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it up into small pieces with a wooden spoon, until cooked through, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic, spinach and tomatoes. Cook, stirring often, until the greens wilt and the tomatoes begin to break down, about 3 minutes.
3.  Add the cooked pasta to the pan and mix with the cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted.
4. Serve the pasta topped with extra cheese if desired.

Slow Cooker Beef & Broccoli

Slow Cooker Beef & Broccoli

Ingredients:

• 1 cup water, divided
• 1/4 cup Soy Sauce
• 3 tablespoons firmly packed brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh ginger (optional)
• 1-1/2 pounds sirloin steak
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 pkg (16 oz each) frozen broccoli florets
• Brown rice, cooked 

 Directions:

1. Spray inside of slow cooker with cooking spray. Stir together 3/4 cup water, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic and ginger in slow cooker. 
2. Cut beef into strips. I sprinkled garlic powder for more flavor.
3. Add beef.....turn to coat with soy sauce mixture.
4. Cover; cook on LOW 7 hours or on HIGH 3 hours or until beef is tender. 
5. Remove beef from slow cooker. Combine cornstarch and remaining 1/4 cup water in small bowl; whisk into slow cooker. Cover; cook on HIGH 15 minutes or until sauce thickens.
   
   
6. Cover to keep warm. 
7. Place broccoli in microwave-safe bowl. Cover & microwave on HIGH 5 minutes or until broccoli is thawed. 
8. Add beef and broccoli to slow cooker; stir to combine. 
9. Cover....cook on HIGH 15 minutes more or until mixture is hot.
10. Serve with brown rice.

Ground Turkey & Brown Rice Taco Bake

Ground Turkey & Brown Rice Taco Bake

I absolutely LOVE mexican food, so I make this dish at least three times a month! My kids love it and it's guilt free! Give it a try, I bet your family will love it!

21 Day Fix Approved!  

1 Red, 1 Green, 1 Yellow, 1 Blue, 1/4 Purple

Ingredients:
1 cup cooked brown rice
1 yellow onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 small can of Jalapeno, chopped (add more if desire)
1 lb ground turkey
2 tsp lime juice
2 T Chili Powder
1 tsp Oregano
1/2 tsp Thyme
1/3 cup cilantro, chopped
1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce (low sodium)
Hot Sauce (to taste-optional)

Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 400. Spray a 9 x13 pan, set aside
2. Boil brown rice, set aside
3. Saute onion,garlic & jalapeno over medium heat for about 1 minute

4. Add ground turkey and cook for about 5 minutes
5. Add Peppers and cook until meat is  no longer pink.
6. Add lime juice, cilantro & seasonings. Stir.
7. Remove from heat - add rice, tomato sauce, 1/4 cup cheese  to the skillet and stir well.

8. Pour mixture into baking dish. Top with remaining cheddar.

9. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
10. Remove foil & bake an additional 10 minutes or until cheese is melted.
11. Remove from oven & let cool for 5 minutes

Enjoy!