Well, the time has come my friends. My computer has taken a turn for the worse. It will be admitted into the ICU on Thursday. Prayers, positive vibes and pleas that my not-backed-up blogging lifeline can make a full, healthy recovery. Turns out, pumping it full of nourishing food just wasn’t enough. Touché. 

Sleep has been lost. I can’t focus. I’m worried sick. I’ve been moping around the house with a rendition of Air Supply’s All Out Of Love running thru my head. But I can still eat!!! Shocking? Or not.

So, I write to you from my iPhone which is also suffering from a severely cracked screen and disconnected home button. Let’s just say…IT WASNT ME!!!! But I had to get this busy-night saving recipe into your hands. (My apologies for the iPhone grade photos)

When I say this meal will take you 15 minutes to get on the table I mean it. And as long as you have enough time to boil a pot of pasta you’ll be in good shape. It’s cheesy, gooey and something I can ALWAYS bank on my kids devouring. And it works like a charm for crazy busy nights…or, around here, nights that are preceded by hours on a cracked-screened phone with Apple Support 🙂

I’m off to the kitchen to do some prep work for KARE 11’s 4 o’clock show today. If you have time, tune in. I’ll be sharing my favorite savory way to devour those yummy apples that are so plentiful right now! Xo

Weeknight Pasta with Sausage and Parmesan

Ingredients

1 Pound Brown Rice or Quinoa Pasta

1 Tablespoon Olive Oil

3/4 Pound Ground Italian Sausage

2 Garlic Cloves, finely chopped

1 (15 ounce) Can Diced Tomatoes

1 Teaspoon Salt

1/4 Teaspoon Black Pepper

1/4 Cup Heavy Cream

3/4 Cup Shredded Parmesan

2 Tablespooms Chopped Basil

Crushed Red Pepper Flakes, for serving

Directions

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid and drain.

While pasta is cooking heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium high heat.  Add sausage and cook until browned; drain. Return sausage to the pan, add garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring often.  Stir in tomatoes, salt and pepper and bring to a simmer. Add cream and simmer for 2 additional minutes. Add pasta, cheese and basil to the sauce and stir until combined and cheese has melted. If pasta is dry add the reserved pasta water, a little at a time, until desired consistency. Top with crushed red pepper flakes.  Serves 4-6