Egg roll in a bowl

Love egg rolls but trying to cut carbs? This is the perfect dish for a healthified Asian fix. Quick, easy and makes a big batch.

Ingredients:

1 pound ground pork sausage (you could use chicken, turkey or beef also)

1 bag (6-7 cups) coleslaw mix or shredded cabbage

4 cloves garlic minced

1 tablespoon ginger minced

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1/4 cup chopped green onions

1 tablespoon sesame oil

Instructions:

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sausage. Cook, stirring often to crumble, until cooked through. Do not drain.  Add the coleslaw mix, ginger, and soy sauce to the skillet with the sausage. Cook for 3-4 minutes or until cabbage has softened a bit. Remove from the heat and top with the green onions and drizzle with sesame oil. Serve immediately.

Optional: I also fried an egg, chopped it up and added it.

Drizzle with sriracha, sweet chili or sweet and sour sauce before serving, if desired.

Italian Meatloaf

 Ingredients:

1/2 lb. ground beef

1 lb. ground mild Italian sausage

1 small onion, finely chopped

1/2 C. chopped bell pepper

1 tsp. olive oil

1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 clove garlic, minced

1/2 tsp. oregano

1/2 tsp. basil

1/2 tsp. parsley

1 egg, beaten

3/4 C. crushed ritz crackers (or you could use Italian bread crumbs)

2 slices white bread, crumbled

1 T. milk

8 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese, reserve 3/4 C. for topping (I used colby jack) 

1/4 C. parmesan cheese

1 C. marinara sauce, plus 1/2 -3/4 C. more for topping

In a small skillet, heat the olive oil over med. high heat and sauté the onion and bell pepper for 3-4 minutes, remove from heat. In a large bowl, add the meats, onion and peppers along with all remaining ingredients reserving 3/4 C. mozzarella cheese for topping. Combine everything well. Once it has all come together, place and mold the mixture in a baking dish of your choice.

Spoon 1/2 to 3/4 C. of the marinara sauce on top and spread around. Place in a 400 degree oven for 50 minutes. Remove from the oven and top with the remaining cheese and sprinkle a little dry basil over the top. Return to the oven for 10 more minutes. Make sure the meat is not pink before serving, baking time will vary depending on the thickness of your loaf.

I've never been a meatloaf fan but this was phenomenal. Almost like a noodle free lasagna. 

Sausage balls

What do you take to a brunch potluck when the host is already making the egg bakes and you’re a little short on time?  After perusing Pinterest I found this handy recipe and decided to give it a try.

Ingredients:

1 lb. ground pork sausage, cooked (NOT drained)

2 cups Bisquick

2 cups shredded cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a large bowl, combine cooked sausage, Bisquick and shredded cheese. Form into walnut size balls and place on baking sheets.  Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes, until golden brown. (makes approx. 36 balls) 

I made these in the morning and then threw them in the crockpot on warm for the brunch.  They were easy to make, simple ingredients and tasted great.

Spicy sausage dip

Ingredients:

16 oz. spicy/zesty sausage

15 oz. can rotel

2 (8 oz) blocks cream cheese

1 small can of yellow corn, drained

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Hot sauce to taste

Cook crumbled sausage until browned. Drain off fat.  Reduce heat to medium and add all other ingredients.  Stir frequently until melted together.  Serve warm with crackers or tortilla chips.  Add more hot sauce as needed. 

I made this in the crockpot and it turned out great. The original recipe did not call for the corn or the shredded cheese but I’m glad I added them.  It made it go a little farther and added a nice texture.  You could add black beans to this as well.  

Italian Sausage sandwiches

Review by Lyndee:

1 pound ground Italian sausage

1 red pepper

1 yellow pepper

1 onion

2 tbsp minced garlic

Salt & pepper

Red pepper flakes

Mozzarella cheese

Marinara or spaghetti sauce

Hoagie rolls

Slice up peppers and onions and cook in skillet until they begin to get soft. In another skillet, brown your sausage and minced garlic. Season with salt, pepper and red pepper flakes.  Slice hoagie rolls and spread butter and sprinkle garlic on the inside. Broil until golden brown.  Add crumbled sausage. Cover with a few peppers and onions. On top of that put a light layer of marinara sauce.  Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese.  Broil another minute until cheese melts.  

These are easy to make and delicious! 

Hissy fit dip

Review by Lyndee:

Ingredients:

8 oz cream cheese

16 oz. sour cream

8 ounces Velveeta cheese, cubed in small chunks

1 pound Italian sausage, cooked, rinsed and drained.

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1/4 green onion, finely chopped

1/4 teaspoon curry powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

Dash of garlic salt

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well.  Once mixed well, transfer to baking dish and bake for 60 minutes.  Best to serve with crackers, chips or veggies too!

I did mine in the crockpot for a family gathering this weekend. It had a little more kick than I expected it to but it was pretty tasty.  Easy to throw together and the crowd seemed to enjoy it.  Not my favorite dip I’ve ever made but it was good.