Bestest Pasta and More

This recipe was created when I was

looking to "change it up" with smoked sausage.

It was a HUGE hit with everyone in the family.

I asked what we should call it and

one of the children piped up and said,

"Momma's Bestest Pasta!"

Momma's Bestest Pasta
1/2 to 1 tsp basil leaves, crushed
1/4C parmesan cheese, grated
1 lb smoked sausage, sliced in coin size pieces
8oz cooked bowtie pasta
2C fancy shredded mozzerella cheese

In large skillet, combine all ingredients except noodles. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and simmer 20 minutes. Place cooked pasta in a 9x9 dish and pour liquid mixture over noodles. Top with mozzerella cheese. Bake at 350 degrees until mozzerella cheese is melted.

Note: Sometimes I will thicken the sauce with 1TBsp of corn starch and sauce before pouring over noodles.

Serve alongside salad with Veggie Veggie Dip (recipe follows) and ranch toast (recipe follows.)


Veggie Veggie Dip:
3 TBsp ranch powder
3/4C skim milk
1 carrot, peeled and finely chopped
1 celery stalk, finely chopped

To the ranch powder, wisk small amount of milk at a time. Once powder and milk are mixed well, add chopped veggies. Use to dip other veggies into or add small amount to desired salad. Makes 16oz.


Ranch Toast:
2 sticks margarine, room temperature
3 TBsp ranch dressing powder
bread slices

Mix ingredients well. Spread butter mixture generously over both sides of bread slices. Lightly broil both sides. Serve toasty warm.