With everyone coming in at all times in the evening, this is a great way to still provide a hearty meal without using the microwave! Pasta is cooked dry, and then all the other ingredients go in and cook a little more. Super easy and quick, and all in one pot! Leave it on the ‘warm’ setting, so everyone can get their meal whenever they happen to get home that night. If you don’t have the bacon, just add whatever leftover veggie or protein that you think would add a nice flavor. Makes a great busy weeknight meal!!

Equipment Necessary

6 to 8 Quart Electric Pressure Cooker

Ingredients

2 Cans Tuna, drained
1 Can Cream-of-Mushroom Soup
3 Cups Water
2 1/2 Cups Pasta (Elbows, Ziti or similar), UNCOOKED
1/2 LB Bacon, Cooked and broken up into pieces
1 Cup Frozen Peas
1 Cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese OR Parmesan (Optional)

Put water and pasta in cooker, COOK on HIGH for 5 minutes. QUICK release. DON’T drain!
Stir in Tuna, Soup, Bacon and Peas. Replace lid and COOK on HIGH 3 minutes. Quick Release carefully.
Stir well, and add cheese(s). Replace lid and let sit 5 minutes.
Stir and serve. ENJOY!

Sausage Alfredo Casserole

I came up with this Sausage Alfredo Casserole out of desperation on how to use up a bunch of marked down sausage that I had in my freezer. I know it doesn’t look to pretty in the picture, but it tasted really good! It’s really easy to make, and only requires a few ingredients, so it keeps the cost way down. And the leftovers (if you have any!) freeze really well. You can substitute your favorite vegetables, and if you don’t like Alfredo, you can put in your favorite tomato based sauce!

TOTAL COST for 6 servings: $4.14 (packaged sauce) $5.13 (assuming $1.99 jarred sauce)

Ingredients

1 Package of Sweet Italian Sausage, uncooked
1 Package (or jar) of Alfredo Sauce (additional ingredients required to prepare)
1 Package of frozen Spinach
2 Squash, washed and diced

PREHEAT OVEN TO 350 DEGREES

1. Bring water to boil, add sausage and when it starts to boil again, cook sausage for about 20 minutes or until fully cooked. (Temperature should be 165 degrees to be fully cooked). Cut sausage into slices and put aside.

2. Meanwhile, prepare your Alfredo Sauce according to package directions (if you aren’t using a premade jarred sauce).

3. In a skillet, add 2 tablespoons of margarine, and add squash and spinach. Saute for a few minutes, until vegetables are no longer frozen and starting to cook through. This takes about 10 minutes. Add prepared Alfredo Sauce to this mixture. *You can substitute tomato sauce if you prefer!

4. Add sliced sausage to mixture, and toss in some salt and pepper to taste. Then transfer to 13 x 9 inch pan (or a round casserole dish, leaving it uncovered). I use my 13 x 9 inch pan because I feel it cooks more evenly.