Slow cooker meatballs and tortellini

This is an easy set it and forget it meal that tastes like you spent the afternoon in the kitchen. It was the perfect meal while watching football last weekend. 

INGREDIENTS

26 ounce bag of frozen meatballs

30 ounce jar of marinara 

4 cups of beef broth

1 tbsp. garlic powder

1 tbsp. Italian seasoning

salt & pepper 

1 -2 bags tortellini (fresh or frozen)

Add all ingredients to the crockpot except the tortellini and mix together. Cook on low for 4 hours. About an hour before you want to eat, add the tortellini and stir. Cook on low for another hour. 

Sprinkle with parmesan cheese before serving. We paired this with a 5 cheese Texas toast and side salad. It was delicious and so filling! I couldn't even clean my plate. 

Stuffed Italian Sausage Bake

This recipe was insanely simple and delicious. I saw it on a low carb site and instantly wanted to try it. I am so glad I did. It was yummy Italian goodness. You could definitely serve this with a side of pasta or on a toasted roll for a sub sandwich too.

INGREDIENTS

1 pack of sweet Italian sausage links

5 string cheese

Marinara or crushed tomatoes (I used a large can of crushed tomatoes)

Mozzarella

Optional: spinach and one mini sweet bell pepper

 

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 400°F. Spray an 8 x10 pan with nonstick spray.

Use kitchen scissors or a knife to cut a slit down the middle of the sausages. Do not cut all the way through and do not remove the casing. Lay a mozzarella stick inside each sausage and press it back into its shape.

Pour a small layer of marinara on the bottom of the pan. Put the sausages casing side down. Top with some baby spinach and diced sweet bell pepper, then the rest of the marinara sauce. I sprinkled with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, crushed red pepper, then a bit of mozzarella over the top. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 35 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for 10 more minutes or until the top layer of cheese is melted.

Note: You don’t have to do the spinach. I just thought it would be fun. Could probably throw some mushrooms, onions or other veggies in too if you wanted.

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! 

Easy Eggplant Parmigiana

Review by Jami:

This recipe is just like lasagna, only I’m replacing the pasta with eggplant. A lot of recipes recommend frying the eggplant, but as vegetarian who is also health conscious, I refuse to fry anything. Instead I’ve chosen to bake the eggplant, a delicious alternative, and even eliminated the flour coating for less carbs.

You can use jar marinara sauce or make your own, whatever you prefer. Add meat substitute for more protein and texture, but the recipe is just as good without.

2 medium eggplants

1 egg, beaten

½ cup breadcrumbs

Marinara sauce (jar, can or homemade)

Mozzarella cheese, shredded

Parmesan cheese

Slice eggplants about ½ inch. Dip each slice into egg, then breadcrumbs and place on baking sheet. Line sheet and bake slices until golden, about 30 minutes at 350. Meanwhile, heat sauce and add additional spices as desired. If you’re using meat substitute add it to the sauce and heat to combine flavors.

In a lasagna pan, cover the bottom with a small amount of sauce and cover with baked eggplant slices in a single layer. Cover with sauce, then mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers, ending with cheese. Top with grated parmesan and bake at 350 for 30 minutes. There is no need to cover as 30 minutes is just enough time to make the cheesy melty and golden. Let the dish set 5-10 minutes for easier slicing. Serve and enjoy!