BBQ Baked Beans & Smoked Turkey Sausage

Adapted from EatingWell

I love the Eating Well website...I just type in the ingredients I have and delicious recipes pop up. I made this into a 4 ingredient dish which is about as easy as it gets. Something simple when you don't have a lot of food at home.

Ingredients:
14 oz smoked turkey sausage
15 oz can of ranch style pinto beans
1/4 cup smoked BBQ sauce
8 oz frozen chopped spinach

Directions:
Chop the turkey sausage into bite size pieces and cook in a skillet on medium-high heat until brown. While the turkey sausage is cooking, thaw and drain the frozen spinach of any water.

Once the turkey sausage pieces are browned add the pinto beans (drained, but not rinsed), the thawed spinach and BBQ sauce. Cook on medium heat until heated through, about 1 minute.

Traditional Black Beans

Adapted from the recipe on Bush Black Beans - Seasoned Recipe can

This makes for a great side dish. We served it with mixed sautéed veggies and nicely grilled steaks thanks to my husband.

Ingredients:
1 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
1 small green bell pepper, chopped
1/2 can italian chopped tomatoes (not drained)
1 can black beans, seasoned recipe (drained, but not rinsed)
1/2 tsp thyme
1 tsp garlic salt

Directions:
In large skillet, heat olive oil. Cook onion and green pepper until tender on medium-high heat. Stir in tomatoes, beans, thyme, and garlic salt and cook for an additional 10 minutes on medium heat (or until most of the liquid is gone).

Black Bean Soup

I'm a big black bean fan, but I've never actually tasted or made black bean soup before now. This is a simple recipe and I think it turned out pretty well. Serve with some cornbread and your set!

Ingredients:
2 - 15 oz cans black beans (only rinse one can)
1 medium onion, chopped
1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tbsp paprika
1/2 tbsp chili powder
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1 cup low sodium chicken broth
1/2 cup salsa
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tbsp lime juice
Cilantro (optional)
Scallions (optional)
Reduced-Fat sour cream (optional)

Directions:
Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring, until beginning to soften, 2 to 3 minutes. Add paprika, chili powder and cumin, stirring for an additional minute.

While onions are cooking, pour the rinsed can of beans into a food processor with the salsa and a small handful of cilantro (optional). Pulse for 30 seconds or until well blended (not perfectly smooth).

Pour chicken broth, un-rinsed beans, blended mix, salt and lime juice into the pan. Bring to a boil, then let simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. To serve, top with a dollop of sour cream and scallions.

Skillet Gnocchi with Spinach & White Beans

Adapted from EatingWell

So this was my first time to ever try gnocchi much less cook with it! I had no clue what it was until about two weeks ago when I was watching a cooking show on my lunch break at work. My friend Angelica mentioned one of her favorite dishes at the Olive Garden is a gnocchi dish so I was excited to try it for myself.

This dish turned out even better than I expected! It was pretty simple and it was delicious! I may have added a bit more cheese than it called for b/c I didn't measure, but either way I was really happy with how it turned out. Leftovers were just as good! Yum!

6 servings - only 325 calories per serving!

Ingredients
2 tbs olive oil, divided
1 16 oz package shelf-stable gnocchi
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
8 oz frozen chopped spinach (thawed in microwave)
15 oz can diced tomatoes w/Italian seasonings
15 oz can white beans, rinsed
1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup shredded park-skim mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup finely shredded parmesan cheese

Directions
Heat 1 tbs oil in large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add gnocchi and cook, stirring often, until plumped and starting to brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.

Add the remaining 1 tbs oil and onion to the pan and cook, stirring over medium heat for about 2 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for additional 3 minutes. Add thawed spinach, tomatoes, beans, pepper and salt and bring to simmer. Stir in gnocchi and sprinkle with mozzarella and parmesan. Cover and cook until cheese is melted and the sauce is bubbling, about 3 minutes.