Sausage, Red Bell Pepper Penne Pasta

I have been too busy to even start decorating my house for Christmas-- let alone, set up the Christmas tree!  Where does the time go? Who took it?  I am so backed up with unpublished and unedited dinners, cakes, desserts and home baked breads-- that y'all must think my stove died. Nothing could be farther from the truth!

On Saturday, I made a chocolate cake with a white chocolate mousse filling (for a church auction)... which is a funny story because I don't consider myself a cake decorator and I had no idea how to make  a white chocolate mousse-- but it turned out great!

On Sunday, I made cream of broccoli soup,  raspberry coulis sauce (for the leftover mousse, to make parfaits), a turkey breast roast and a complete German dinner of a pork roast, potato dumplings and red cabbage!

I got a little carried away at Costco, about two weeks ago, so I've vowed to make recipes based on what's in my pantry and what's in my refrigerator.  Did I mention that we finally bought a brand new refrigerator? I didn't?  That happened in mid October, when Consumer Reports says is the best time to find a bargain on refrigerators. Do I hear an "Amen"?

Photo from Samsung Website. Our fridge is in black.

Yes, it's a beauty, too. All 29 cu.ft. of French Door, freezer on the bottom wide open space-- with all kinds of bells and whistles.  I'm a very happy home cook, to say the least.

On the way home from work, I started doing a mental inventory on what to make for dinner. I usually have a meal plan for the whole week-- but not this time! I had some Italian sausage , half a red bell pepper, some fresh spinach and some cremini mushrooms.  So, I just started cooking, and didn't even dig out my camera, and started creating something that I had no idea would turn out so delicious.

Sausage, fresh spinach, cremini mushrooms, red bell pepper and penne pasta...

Seasoned with garlic and my own blend of Italian seasoning, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, some leftover red wine, and some heavy cream-- just a little.

Don't forget the Parmigiano-Reggiano (or whatever cheese you have)!

My wonderful husband walked into the door at 6:30, just as I finished creating a dish that turned out to be a pasta in 45 minutes.  Perfect timing! Craig smiled and gave this dish a double thumbs up. Yes, we had seconds.  I don't have my usual tutorial on how to make this, but I quickly jumped onto my laptop to write down how I did it.  This one's a keeper! It has sausage, vegetables and just the right about of spice to make a delicious dinner.