Borscht and Spicy Sausage & Chicken Casserole

I will defer to my husband's blog post on the borscht since he made it, however I wanted to post the pics here since this is the food blog! :)

Spicy Sausage & Chicken Casserole 

This next one is my own creation and by default it makes a 2nd meal to freeze for another meal sometime later. The general concept can be used for any size family, but there is 6 in ours so these quantities are to feed that size family.

• 6 spicy Italian sausage links (the large ones, not breakfast type links)
• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 3 slices each
• 1 package pasta (we used wheat blend spiral noodles, but penne would also work well)
• 2 bell peppers, cut into strips
• 1 onion, cut into strips
• 1 package fresh sliced mushrooms
• seasonings for cooking (your choice): salt, pepper, crushed garlic, dried parsley, oregeno, thyme, etc.
• 36oz jar spaghetti sauce (your choice, we use Classico tomato & basil from Costco)
• grated Parmesan cheese (as desired)

• Cook sausage in a LARGE skillet until slightly brown on both sides. 
• Prep veggies while sausage is cooking (slice up peppers & onions, wash mushrooms). 
• One at a time remove sausage from skillet to cutting board and slice down the middle. Return uncooked side to skillet and brown. Once browned on all sides, remove all from skillet and keep warm. 
• Add sliced chicken breasts to skillet (do not drain, the sausage grease will keep the chicken from sticking). Season as desired and brown on both sides. 
• While chicken is cooking, prepare pasta according to package directions.
• Keep chicken covered and cook on low until chicken is no longer pink on the inside. Once cooked thoroughly, remove chicken from skillet & keep warm
• In same skillet add peppers & onions. Cook about 5-7 minutes and then add mushrooms. (I like to add some crushed garlic to my onion, pepper, & mushroom mixture)
• Once pepper, onion mixture is cooked, add sauce + 1/2 cup water (put water into the jar and shake to get out the rest of the sauce). Simmer until slightly bubbling, stirring often.
• Add pasta to the skillet and mix to coat everything in the sauce.

For meal #1, place a scoop of the pasta/veggie mixture in the center of the plate & top w/Parmsean as desired. Place 1 sausage link (remember you cut them in 1/2 so you should have 12) and 1 chicken breast slice (again, you should have 12) on either side and serve.

To create the casserole for the freezer meal, slice the remaining 6 sausage links and chicken breast slices into bite size pieces and place at the bottom of the pan in which you will freeze it (I use the foil pans from Costco). Top with the remaining pasta/veggie mixture. Sprinkle with Parmesean (if desired) or other grated/shredded cheese of your choice (an Italian mixed bag works here). Cover in foil, label it with the meal and the date, pop in freezer for another time!