Sausage Skillet Dinner

Sometimes when you have kids ( and a picky husband) you have to cook dinner a little differently than you would if you were just cooking it for yourself. Although tonight's dinner had everything from the recipe in it, you can't see it. If you could see it I would have to deal with the EEEEWWWW factor.  To Read More, Click On The Recipe Title.


 The EEEEWWWW factor is when your kids see something on they're plate that they're not familiar with or they THINK they don't like,( this applies to my husband as well), and right away it's EEEEWWWW what's that! My husband and kids will sit and eat raw green peppers till they come out they're little ears, but if you cook a green pepper and they can see it, forget it. They insist they don't like it. Let me give you an example, when I made this month's Daring Baker Challenge I didn't expect my husband or the kids to like it because it had almonds in it. My husband INSISTS he hates all nuts except peanuts and because he doesn't like them the kids think they don't like them I didn't tell him that there were almonds in the cake, he ate it, I asked him if he liked it. He said yes, then I told him about the almonds. If he doesn't see the nuts, he eats the nuts.....and likes it! I MINCED the green peppers, onion, celery and garlic so nobody would know they were in our dinner but me. I also couldn't put the tomatoes in it because Mr " I'm 1/2 Italian" doesn't like tomatoes., he'll eat sauce but not tomatoes.....?????? I wanted all those flavors in there without dealing with.......well you know. So use your imagination and visualize, sauteed green peppers with onions mixed in with the pasta and smoked sausage, pretty isn't it?! Maybe someday I'll actually get to SEE it!!


Sausage Skillet Dinner
2 Tblsp. butter
1 lb. smoked sausage, cut into 1/4" slices
1 medium onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1/2 cup sliced celery
3 or 4 cups cooked elbow macaroni (1-1/2 to 2 cups dry)
15 oz. tomato sauce
14.5 oz. diced tomatoes (not drained)
1 tsp. chili powder (or to taste)
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar

Meld butter in a large skillet. Add onion, garlic, green pepper and celery. Saute for about 5 minutes. Add sausage and saute another 5 minutes. Add remaining ingredients except cheese. Cook over low heat, stirring frequently, until thoroughly heated. Sprinkle with cheese and cook just until cheese melts. Makes 6 to 8 servings