One Pot Sausage & Peppers

I love the ease of one pot and slow cooker meals, especially when I want something hearty without spending hours in the kitchen. It was cold and windy here on Tuesday, making it the perfect day for my one pot sausage and peppers.  It's a stove-top version of a slow cooker recipe I found at the McCormick website. I serve mine mixed with cheese tortellini, but any type of pasta would work well. Or you could put the pot on the table with a basket of rolls to enjoy hoagie-style.

One Pot Sausage & Peppers

1 lb. Sweet Italian Sausage, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 Tbs. EVOO
2 bags frozen pepper & onion medley, thawed*
1 can tomato puree
6 oz. tomato paste
3/4 cup water
One half package McCormick Slow Cooker Italian Herb Chicken Seasoning
Red pepper flakes

Heat EVOO in dutch oven. Add sausage, cooking until browned. Remove from pot & drain on paper towels. Drain grease from pot. Add sausage & pepper/onions back to pot, along with tomato puree, tomato paste, water & seasoning mix. Add red pepper flakes if desired. Stir well & cook over med. heat for about 15 minutes. Stir in prepared cheese tortellini if desired and top with fresh parmesan cheese.

*I like to use fresh peppers, but they are ridiculously expensive here right now. I thawed my frozen peppers & onions in a colander lined with paper towels to absorb the moisture.