Italian Sausage and Shells Dinner

 Quick Dinner idea! Do you have pasta, sausage and diced tomatoes on hand? Heavy cream as well? Then this would be a great weeknight dinner that comes together really quickly. This made a really great meal paired with a salad for Eric, Emily and I last week when she was here for dinner between calls.. Emily was going to take the leftovers home for her boyfriend’s dinner but forgot! So lucky me – great lunch today!

8 ounces uncooked medium shells

1 lb. Italian sausages (spicy or mild) crumbled

1/2 medium onion chopped

3 cloves garlic minced

1 (14 fluid ounce) can diced tomatoes with juices. Add the canned tomatoes to the pan. Simmer the sauce for 10 minutes.

Stir in the cream, basil, and season the sauce with salt & pepper as needed. Cook for another minute or two and then toss with the drained pasta.

1 (14 fluid ounce) can finely chopped or crushed tomatoes

1/2 cup heavy/whipping cream

Salt & pepper to taste

Fresh basil, torn to taste (optional)

Freshly grated parmesan cheese to taste

Boil a salted pot of water for the pasta. Cook the shells al dente according to package directions.

Meanwhile, chop the onion and take the sausages out of their casings and crumble it into a skillet. Sauté the onion and sausage over medium-high heat for 7 minutes, stirring it occasionally.

Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute.

Drain the fat from the pan.