Grocery List

So we are at home, and before our trip my trips to the grocery store were very short sighted- grab what I need imediately for that night, or the next night. I didn't have very many long term thoughts.

So this week we have had some interesting combinations for dinner. (The begining of the week I just really didn't want to go out to the grocery store, and then on Wed night Rich's car broke down, so yesterday and today he's had my car at work and I couldn't go to the grocery store- except for a quick trip on Wed night to grab a couple things)

The first night back was fettuchini alfredo, with one chicken breast (the last one in the freezer) for Rich and I to split and some frozen corn. Tuesday night we had meatloaf and a potato casserole I made up with frozen hashbrowns and cream of chicken soup, heavy cream, and cheddar cheese. It was okay- but not up to our normal potato casserole that I usually make (I didn't have sour cream). Wed night I put a box of frozen taquito's and layered it with cream of chicken and taco sauce (my idea was to use enchilada sauce, but I was out of that so I improvised) and cheddar cheese. We had cornbread and creamed corn with that. Last night was leftovers of the previous nights. Tonight we'll have spaghetti and french bread and brocolli (I got the french bread and brocolli Wed night after going to "rescue" Rich at work with his dead car).

So... today I'm making out my grocery shopping list. I'm planning out meals that make sense and go together and are generally a balanced meal.

I've been craving my sisters pasta dish, so this is going on my grocery list- I thought I would share it because I like it so much!

Bowties in sausage cream sauce

1 (12 ounce) package bow tie pasta
2 Tbs olive oil
1 lb sweet Italian
sausage, casings removed and crumbled (my sister does this 1/2 shredded chicken,
and 1/2 sausage- it's flexible, but I like all sausage)
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 cup diced onion
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 (28 ounce) can
Italian-style plum tomatoes, drained and coarsely chopped (I just get the
pre-diced tomato's to skip a step)
1 1/2 cups heavy cream (you can also use half n half, or milk {I like to use alfredo sauce to make it an even thicker and richer sauce})
1/2 tsp salt
3 Tbs minced fresh basil (I don't have this, so sometimes I add some dried, and other times I just leave it out- I don't notice it much)

1- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook pasta in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes, or until al dente; drain.
2- Heat oil in a large, deep skillet over medium heat. Cook sausage and pepper flakes until sausage is evenly brown. Stir in onion and garlic, and cook until onion is tender. Stir in tomatoes, cream, and salt. Simmer until mixture thickens, 8 to 10 minutes.
3- Stir cooked pasta into sauce, and heat through. Sprinkle with basil.


Servings: 6

My kids don't particularly care for this, so I boil the whole box of bow tie pasta, and leave half of the pasta for them and just put alfredo sauce on it. The other half I add into the sauce above and stir it in.

A side dish and a little bit of french bread to clean up the plate with, and it is sooo yummmy!!