. . . Cheesy & Spicy Sausage Pasta . . .

Holy Yummy, Batman!  You are going to want to run to the grocery store to grab these ingredients to make this pasta dish.  It's so easy but packs a big punch with the slightly spicy and cheesy flavor!  The first time I made this my husband liked it so much he said "You should definitely make this for Christmas Eve Dinner!".  Now that is a compliment I would say.

  I first saw this a long time ago on Pinterest with a little different list of ingredients and then more recently Kevin and Amanda posted it on her blog.  Of course her beautiful photos made me want to make it immediately.  While my photos aren't as pretty as hers I hope you will be just as tempted as I was because it is totally worth it.  I say that it's a little spicy but if you get the mild Rotel it isn't too overpowering at all.  I also liked using Rotini pasta because the sauce clings more to it but you could use any small pasta you have on hand.  I also changed up the cheese a little because I'm not a big fan of Monterey Jack by itself so I used the Colby and Monterey Jack combo cheese instead.  The great thing about this dish is that it's a One Pot Meal!

We did serve this for Christmas Eve Dinner and everyone was crazy about it which made me a happy camper!  After we were all done inhaling the pasta we discussed some variations and the one thing everyone agreed on was how good it would be with chicken or shrimp.  Don't be afraid to change it up a little.  Go on with your bad self and get crazy with it! 

You will need: 
1 tbsp olive oil
1 package smoked sausage

1 1/2 cups diced onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups chicken broth
1 (10 oz) can Ro-Tel tomatoes and green chiles, Mild is what I used
1/2 cup heavy cream
8 ounces Rotini Pasta
Salt and Pepper to your liking

1 Cup Colby and Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
1/3 cup thinly sliced scallions

Add olive oil to an oven-safe skillet over medium high heat until hot. Add sausage and onions and cook until lightly browned, about 4 minutes or so. Add garlic and cook about 30 seconds. Add chicken broth, Rotel, heavy cream, pasta, salt and pepper and stir. Bring to a boil, cover skillet, and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer until pasta is tender--about 15 minutes.  Remove skillet from heat and stir in 1/2 cup cheese. Top with remaining cheese and sprinkle with scallions. Broil in the oven until cheese is brown and bubbly.

 Gather your ingredients

 Slice the package of sausage thinly into discs

 If you didn't buy a packaged of chopped onions then of course chop your onion up and then add the sausage and onions to a heated skillet with olive oil and saute until everything has a nice browness to it.  Add the garlic and saute for a few seconds.

 Add the Rotel, Pasta, Salt and Pepper and Chicken Broth.  Stir it all in.

 Add your heavy cream and combine well.  Cover your pasta mixture and simmer over medium low heat for about 15 minutes or so.

 It's like magic when you uncover it because you've created the perfect creamy pasta sauce.  Sprinkle with 1/2 of the cheese and mix it in then top with the remaining cheese.

 Top with your chopped up scallions and place under the broiler in your oven for a few minutes--check this often to avoid burning it.  You want the cheese to be melted and turn brown and bubbly but not charred.

Perfection!

 The perfect dinner!

Enjoy this yummy meal!