A romantic dish pairs two toppings for hot cooked spaghetti. Shrimp, marinated with Creole seasoning and cooked in butter, cozy up to a spicy red sauce of Italian sausage and colorful bell peppers.

A romantic dish pairs two toppings for hot cooked spaghetti. Shrimp, marinated with Creole seasoning and cooked in butter, cozy up to a spicy red sauce of Italian sausage and colorful bell peppers.

My mother learned how to make this while we lived in Nashville many years ago, and it is now a family favorite. Good old-fashioned sausage gravy. It’s her most requested recipe from family and friends alike. Serve over biscuits or toast.

My mother learned how to make this while we lived in Nashville many years ago, and it is now a family favorite. Good old-fashioned sausage gravy. It’s her most requested recipe from family and friends alike. Serve over biscuits or toast.

Cornbread stuffing is augmented by pork sausage, celery, onion and seasonings to create a family favorite.

Cornbread stuffing is augmented by pork sausage, celery, onion and seasonings to create a family favorite.

Instead of starting with a hambone (which you won’t have unless you’ve just eaten a baked ham) and dried beans (which require significant soaking and simmering time), simply open cans of chicken broth and beans. Minced prosciutto instantly transforms commercial chicken broth into a ham-flavored soup base. Italian sausage reinforces the pork flavor and makes the soup substantial and satisfying. Mashing some of the canned beans thickens the soup and gives it the body of one that’s been long simmered. Sauteed onions, carrots and celery add depth of flavor and ensure the soup’s homemade feel.

Instead of starting with a hambone (which you won’t have unless you’ve just eaten a baked ham) and dried beans (which require significant soaking and simmering time), simply open cans of chicken broth and beans. Minced prosciutto instantly transforms commercial chicken broth into a ham-flavored soup base. Italian sausage reinforces the pork flavor and makes the soup substantial and satisfying. Mashing some of the canned beans thickens the soup and gives it the body of one that’s been long simmered. Sauteed onions, carrots and celery add depth of flavor and ensure the soup’s homemade feel.

A comforting bean soup with spicy sausage and leafy kale. Easy to put together and delicious on a cold winter’s day. You can substitute other sausage, onion instead of shallots, and other greens for the kale, and it will still be tasty!

A comforting bean soup with spicy sausage and leafy kale. Easy to put together and delicious on a cold winter’s day. You can substitute other sausage, onion instead of shallots, and other greens for the kale, and it will still be tasty!

Italian sausage, garlic, tomatoes, red wine, and tortellini – this soup combines favorite ingredients from an Italian kitchen. You can use sweet or hot sausage, depending on your tastes, and fresh herbs if you have them on hand.

Italian sausage, garlic, tomatoes, red wine, and tortellini – this soup combines favorite ingredients from an Italian kitchen. You can use sweet or hot sausage, depending on your tastes, and fresh herbs if you have them on hand.

This is a great homemade sauce. It’s savory and spicy, as well as thick and chunky. The secret is the combination of Italian sausage, green onions, red wine and red pepper flakes. Easily double or triple amount and top on anything! Even better the next day. Enjoy.

This is a great homemade sauce. It’s savory and spicy, as well as thick and chunky. The secret is the combination of Italian sausage, green onions, red wine and red pepper flakes. Easily double or triple amount and top on anything! Even better the next day. Enjoy.

A delicious dish created from the fresh bounty of my garden. My whole family has seconds when we have this meal!

A delicious dish created from the fresh bounty of my garden. My whole family has seconds when we have this meal!

Sweet potatoes add their autumn flavor and color to a savory braided sausage roll with grapes, blue cheese, and rosemary. It’s a pretty and festive brunch dish or light meal.

Sweet potatoes add their autumn flavor and color to a savory braided sausage roll with grapes, blue cheese, and rosemary. It’s a pretty and festive brunch dish or light meal.

I’ve made this very quick, simple, one dish meal for years. You can vary the crushed red pepper depending on how spicy you like it.

I’ve made this very quick, simple, one dish meal for years. You can vary the crushed red pepper depending on how spicy you like it.