THE way to make Spaghetti

This became a quick family favorite. You cook the spaghetti noodles with the sauce so they get super flavorful. The whole meal is cooked in one large pan too so it saves on dishes. My husband really like it with sausage but I find myself picking around them. You can decided if your family will like spaghetti with or with out the sausages.

1 tsp cooking oil
2 large sausages of your choice (optional)
1/2 tsp cooking oil
1/2 lb ground beef
1/2 cup chopped onions
1 garlic clove
1 can diced tomatoes (14 oz)
1 1/2 cup water
1 can tomato sauce (7 1/2 oz)
1/2 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp thyme
1/2 tsp basil
1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 Tbsp soya sauce
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
6 oz spaghetti, broken in half

Heat first amount of cooking oil in large frying pan on medium heat. Cut sausages into 1/2 inch slices and fry them for about 5 min, until browned. Transfer to paper towels to drain. Set aside.

Drain drippings from sausages and heat second amount of oil in same frying pan. Add ground beef, onion and garlic. Scramble-fry until beef is no longer pink and onion is softened. Drain.

Add sausages and add next 11 ingredients. Stir and bring to a boil.

Stir in spaghetti. Reduce heat to medium low. Cover. Simmer for 8 - 12 min or until spaghetti is cooked, stirring occasionally. Remove lid and simmer for an additional 1 - 2 min until sauce is thickened.

MAKE IT A MEAL: For us, spaghetti makes a perfect meal when it is served with a Caesar salad and some garlic toast. Although, if I don't have time, spaghetti is basically a meal in itself.

Butternut Squash Ravioli with Brown Sugar Pecan Sauce

I don't know if this technically counts as a recipe because we get the Butternut Squash Ravioli from Costco. I came up with the Brown Sugar Pecan Sauce which is modified from the recipe on the back. This has become one of my husband's favorite meals. He is always asking me to make it and it is so easy. If you don't go to Costco, I'm not too sure where you can get Butternut Squash Ravioli but if you find it you should try it because it is delicious! This gets 5 STARS from our family.

8 to 10 Cooked Butternut Squash Raviolis
1/2 cup chopped pecans
2 tbsp butter
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup cream
* I have also added maple sugar to this recipe before and it was great but I am guessing most people don't have maple sugar in their pantries. If you have it though, try adding some.

Toast pecans in a large fry pan on low heat just until they become fragrant and start turning color. Add butter and stir until melted. Add brown sugar, cinnamon and salt. Stir until brown sugar has begun to melt and whisk in cream. Allow sauce to simmer for a few minutes, stirring frequently. Spoon over cooked pasta and enjoy.



MAKE IT A MEAL: Believe it or not 4 or 5 raviolis are usually enough to fill us up but in order to get some diversity to the meal we usually have a small garden salad on the side.