30 Minute Sausage Pasta

This recipe is also perfect for those cold nights after work when you have nothing prepared.  It only takes a total of 30 minutes to make and will definitely keep you warm.

quick dinners for cold nights

Oh winter. The time of year when I just want to hibernate at home while escaping the cold weather threatening me on the other side of my window.

my favourite meal for cold nights

Like most people, I fill up on carbs during winter.  There is something comforting about eating a bowl of pasta in your pajamas while the snow accumulates outside. (Bonus points – I live in a condo and never have to go outside to shovel snow!)

This recipe is also perfect for those cold nights after work when you have nothing prepared.  It only takes a total of 30 minutes to make and will definitely keep you warm. Best of all, you probably already have all of these ingredients in your fridge already. You’ll be on your couch eating this under a nice warm blanket in no time!

Paired with a great full bodied red wine, this recipe is also great for date nights.  Your s/o will never know you were in the kitchen for only 30 minutes. (I made this for the Mister and added some fresh spinach just before serving and he was a happy man.)

the most satisfying comfort food

30 Minute Sausage Pasta

Makes: 4 servings

Cook time:

Ingredients:
  • 2 cups of uncooked pasta of your choice
  • 1 ½ cups of tomato sauce
  • 2 uncooked sausages (any variety will do, but I do recommend sweet italian sausages)
  • 2 cloves of garlic (minced)
  • 1/2 onion (finely chopped)
  • 4 oz mushrooms
  • 1 tsp chili flakes
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • ground black pepper
  • freshly grated parmesan cheese

Instructions:
  1. In a medium pot, add pasta to boiling water.
  2. In a medium skillet, heat olive oil and brown onions and garlic for 1 minute.
  3. Remove the meat from the sausage casing and add it to the skillet. Cook until golden brown. Add chili flakes and italian seasoning.
  4. Add mushrooms and sauté until softened.
  5. Add the tomato sauce and cooked, drained pasta.
  6. Top with some freshly ground pepper and parmesan cheese before serving.
ready+in+30+minutes+sausage+pasta
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Papaya Breakfast Parfait

Papaya Breakfast Parfait

I’m usually not a morning person. But now I’m trying to change that.

My at home breakfast will still have to be quick – and hopefully a little healthier than that granola bar.

papaya breakfast parfait
early morning breakfast

I’m usually not a morning person.

I know exactly how long it takes me to get ready for work (no more than 25 minutes!) and I wait for the very last minute to get up out of bed.

But now I’m trying to change that.

I promised Mister Man I will get up 30 minutes earlier and eat a light breakfast, as opposed to eating a granola bar at my desk when I get to work. I will try not to be that crazy lady running down the street because I’m late. Instead, I will leave 5 minutes earlier and stroll down the street, like a civilized person.  (Quite the difference).

papaya blackbery.jpg

But I still don’t like wasting time in the morning.

My at home breakfast will still have to be quick – and hopefully a little healthier than that granola bar.

A few weeks ago, Mister Man and I took a trip to Niagara-on-the-Lake and stayed at a Bed and Breakfast. Every morning, Linda from Bren Brae on the Park  served us delicious breakfasts, including a fruit parfait. This got me thinking, this would be the perfect quick breakfast before heading to work!

breakfast yogurt parfait
quick breakfast for sleepy mornings

So, here it is. My take on the breakfast fruit parfait. You can pretty much use any fruit that is in season. I chose papaya simply because I love them. Combined with coconut flavoured yogurt, and I feel like I’m on some exotic vacation. And then reality hits, and I have to head off to work.

 

Papaya Breakfast Parfait

Energy packed papaya breakfast parfaits are exactly what you need to start your busy mornings.


Makes: 8 servings

Prep time:

Ingredients:
  • 1 medium sized papaya
  • 1 pint blackberries
  • ½ cup coconut greek yogurt
  • cinnamon

Instructions:
  1. Slice papaya in half and scoop out the seeds using a spoon
  2. Slice Slice skin off and cut the fruit into bite sized cubes.
  3. in a bowl or serving glass, add 1-2 tablespoons of coconut yogurt.
  4. Add papaya and blackberries on top of the yogurt.
  5. sprinkle with cinnamon and serve.
Papaya breakfast parfait.jpg
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