Pasta & Sausage

I love this meal because I can prepare it ahead of time in the slow cooker.  I can throw everything in the slow cooker on low and it is ready by dinner time.  Although, it is also just as easily prepared on the stove just before dinner.

Olive Oil
1/2 Tsp Crushed Red Pepper
1 Small Onion, diced
2 Cloves of Garlic, minced
1 Package of Frozen Winter Squash (I use Wegmans brand.  This is a great way to sneak in extra vegetables and no one will know.)
1 28oz Can of Crushed Tomatoes
3 Tbsps Tomato Paste
Basil
Parsley
Sausage (about 1lb to 1 1/2 lbs)
Baby Bella Mushrooms
9oz Package of Baby Spinach

Preheat oven to 400.

Place olive oil (a tbsp or two), crushed red pepper, onion, garlic, squash, tomatoes, paste, basil ans parsley in the slow cooker set at low.  Slice mushrooms and place in slow cooker.

Cut sausage into 2-3" pieces and place on a baking sheet.  Cook for 20 minutes, rotating them halfway through.  One cooked, place in the slow cooker too.  Stir to combine.

About 30 minutes before serving, place the fresh spinach in the slow cooker and allow spinach to wilt.  Stir to mix.

Serve this sauce with your favorite pasta (penne or rotini are great, especially whole grain) and a cucumber salad.