Thrifty Dinner We Had This Week

Last week I had to run into a grocery store that is closest to me, but that I don’t prefer to shop at.  I was glad I did though because they had my favorite Italian Sausage on a sale lower than ever before! So I ran back out to the car and grabbed my trusty coupon book   I had been saving my coupons for when they go on sale.  At the grocery store I shop at, Kroger, Johnsonville Sausage is usually 5.19 when it goes on sale it is 3.99 and there is always a coupon for this at least once a month for 1.00 off. So usually I get a pound of sausage for 2.99…but Albertsons had it on sale for 2.99 and I had a couple of coupons for 1.00 off…so I got  3 pounds of it at 1.99 each…..YEAH! Plus I got some of the other ingredients on sale at Kroger, where I shop regularly.

   

 

Here is my favorite recipe for Johnsonville Mild Italian Sausage 

 

SPICEY SAUSAGE AND PEPPER FARFALLE   (adapted from southern living recipe)

• 1 pound mild italian (ground or in links, but remove casings and crumble)   1.99
• 1 box Barilla Farfalle Pasta ( bow tie)  1.00   on sale           
• Bell Peppers, one red and one green -1.00 EACH
• 1 Shallot diced -.49
• 2 tablespoons olive oil ( I use more when needed) -I had
• 5 plum tomatoes ( use roma, usually cheaper) -1.89
• 1 cup beef broth -I had
• 1 cup parmesan cheese (grated but the real cheese, not the kind in the can) reg 3.89 on sale for 2.89 coupon for Sargento 1.00 off  but only used half the bag= .94

First I dribble just a bit of olive oil in the pan and brown sausage.  (adding more olive oil if pan is getting to dry) I put a paper towel on a plate and spoon out the sausage onto the plate, being sure the leave some oil and drippings in the pan. I keep the oven on warm and put the sausage in the oven to stay warm while I prepare the rest. 

I start the water for pasta and prepare as directed on the box.

I keep the pan I cooked sausage in on low as I put the veggies in.  I put the chopped peppers in first and cook over med heat for about 5-7 minutes then add the shallots and cook about 5 more minutes. I add more olive oil as needed. When veggies are tender, I add the sausage back to the pan on low to med, just to mix and warm. 

Then I added the beef broth ( I use Wyler’s granules to = 1 cup broth). Then add the tomatoes that are diced. Cook for an additional 5-7 minutes on med.  ( I tend to make a bit more broth because my family likes lots of juice in it.)

I drain the pasta and put in a very large bowl and toss using a few drizzles of olive oil until pasta is evenly coated. I then add all of the sausage mixture and 1/2 cup parm cheese  and stir melting the cheese.  Then we are done!  I add a bit more cheese on the top of each serving. I serve with just salad and garlic bread.

 

 

 

Total for this meal $8.31!  Feeding four and left overs for all of us the next day for lunch   Turns out to be $1.03 for each serving ! WOW I never did the math before but that sure does beat eating out!! Tastes better too!

Warning! Spell check is not working, sorry for spelling and typing errors!