Italian Sausage in Tomato Cream Sauce

With Valentine's Day around the corner, you might be looking for a fun dinner idea that's both delicious and "red". I made this recipe up a couple weeks ago and it was soooo good and very quick and easy! I've been holding back the desire to make it again so that I could save it for our special family Valentine's Day dinner. It's actually more of a "pink" color. Hope that's ok ;) My boys actually had to get over the fact that it was pink before they could decide that it was ok to eat and tasted great. Boys...



Italian Sausage in Tomato Cream Sauce

1 clove garlic, minced

1/2 onion, diced

2 Tbsp. olive oil or butter

3 Tbsp. flour

1 can evaporated milk

1 tsp. basil

1/4 tsp. ground pepper

1 (14.5 oz.) can petite diced tomatoes-drain, reserve juices

salt to taste

1/2 package of smoked sausage, such as kielbasa, sliced--I use Turkey Smoked Sausage such as Louis Rich.


1 (16 oz.) package penne pasta

Cook pasta as directed. While pasta is cooking, heat butter or oil in a large skillet. Add garlic and onions and saute until golden. Whisk in flour. Stir for about a minute. Add evaporated milk. Whisk constantly until mixture reaches a boil. Add basil, salt, pepper, and tomatoes. Add reserved tomato liquid until desired consistency is reached. Can add more milk or chicken broth, a little at a time, if still too thick. Add sliced sausage. Serve warm over pasta.