Creamy Pasta with Italian Turkey Sausage

Today I have the task of keeping the house quiet. As quiet as possible as I can with a 5 week old and dog that likes to bark at any given noise she hears outside our front door. She is a handful- no, not the baby- my dog.

Is this practice, training for when I have a toddler and a baby? I swear sometimes I already feel like I have both! Sandy (the dog) is definitely a jealous, attention hogging pup. Whenever I'm on the floor playing with baby, here she comes whacking me with one of her slobbered up toys and jumping on my back. Then she proceeds to take out ALL of her toys, run around the house like a maniac, and dump her food all over the floor. Too bad I can't tell her to pick up after herself!

Anywho. Today. Hubby is sleeping after working a night shift in the emergency room. I'm doing my best at keeping baby and dog entertained and let me tell you, it's actually harder keeping the dog quiet than the baby! So how am I managing to write this post right now, you say? Well, currently dog is hiding under the couch after I threatened her life after barking at the UPS truck, and baby is strapped to my chest in her carrier. She passes out every time.

Now let's talk about the food, shall we! I made this...oh, who knows, weeks before baby girl was born and I've made it a couple times since (not lately, mind you...). It's pretty good, a decent get-yourself-through-the-work-week meal. It's got protein from the turkey sausage, veggies to make yourself feel good about eating a huge bowl of pasta, and a creamy sauce.

Wish me luck! I've got three more hours to go!

Source: adapted from Mrs. Schwartz's Kitchen 

1 package turkey Italian sausage
1/2 onion, finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, finely minced
1/2 red pepper, chopped
2 cups cream or half and half
1 1/2 cups (or so) parmesan cheese + additional for garnish
1 lb penne pasta (or variety of your choice)
1 cup frozen peas
Parsley for garnish (optional)

Heat a large skillet on the stove on medium. Remove the casings off the sausages and add to the skillet. Brown the sausage and grab your pasta pot to begin boiling the water. Once the sausage is fully cooked, remove from the pan and place on a paper towel lined plate.

Add the onion to the pan and cook for about 3 minutes.  After 3 minutes, add the garlic.  Cook for an additional 2 minutes. Add the red pepper to the pan and cook for about a minute. Make sure you already have the pasta boiling!

Add the cream to the skillet and bring to a slight bubble on medium heat. Be careful not to let it boil. Add the cheese once it comes to a bubble. Stir and bring back to a slight bubble and let it thicken.

Drain the pasta and add it along with the sausage and peas to the pan.  Toss to coat in the sauce.

Baby Update: One Month Old!

I can't believe a month has gone by since my baby girl came into this world. It almost feels like I was never pregnant and that she has been here all along. Despite not sleeping, feeling like a walking zombie at times, exclusively nursing every hour to an hour and a half, I absolutely love my new job as a stay at home Mom.

Baby girl and I have just started to get to know each other. She hates her bassinet and prefers to sleep in her Rock N' Play or in Mommy's or Daddy's arms. She loves to play in her crib and can spend a good half hour staring at her toys or listening to music. She also loves walks in her stroller and to take naps in her car-seat. I just pulled out the carrier too and am able to walk around the house with her completely content.

Recently she has been able to swat at the toys dangling from her play gym. She is getting really good at keeping her head up and will look all around the room.

I can't wait for her to start smiling, cooing, ahhing, and recognizing our faces. She is already growing like a weed and will soon no longer be able to wear her newborn outfits. I can't wait to find out how much she weighs at her next appointment! 

Slowly but surely I will begin cooking again. The crock pot and easy meals that I can throw into the oven have been lifesavers. This blog will not turn into all things baby- it will remain a place for me to share my love of cooking and baking. But you'd better believe that there will be lots of pictures, stories, and updates about our baby girl!