What's for Dinner? Spaghetti with Sausage Meatballs and Creamy Italian Tomato Sauce

Nothing like returning home from vacation with a “care package” from mom in hand. This one included fresh sausage, fresh parmesan and half and half. This is what I came up with using those ingredients.

2  cups uncooked spaghetti
2 fresh Italian sausage links
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 garlic clove, minced
1 cup tomatoes
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1/2 cup beef broth
1/2  teaspoon basil, rubbed
1/2 teaspoon oregano, rubbed
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup cream or half and half
1/2 cup grated Parmesan

Remove sausage from casings and shape into uniform size balls. In a large frying pan or cast iron skillet on medium heat, cook sausage in oil and butter til nice and brown.

Add red pepper and onion; cook til veggies are tender and sausage is no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for another minute or so.

Add tomatoes, paste and broth; cook for 10 minutes.

Add the herbs, half and half, Parmesan, salt and pepper. Mix well.

Reduce heat; cook over low heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and return to pan. Combine tomato sauce with pasta. Serve sausage over the pasta.

I served this with fresh cucumber just picked from our garden today.