Saucy Sausage Mac and Vegetable Bean Soup

Hi Foodies
Today I was bored and decided I wanted to make a new soup...so I looked in the cupboard and pulled out 4 variety of beans, elbow macaroni, Rotel tomatoes, tomato sauce. Next looked in the freezer, pulling out 12 oz sausage links, frozen green beans, peas, corn.
This is what I did...
Took the sausages and browned and drained, then cut into bite size pieces. Put in crock pot. Turn on to HI. I threw in the frozen green beans, peas, corn 1 small package/bag of each-(again make it your own and add more or less to taste!)
Added Beans:  1 can each, drained and rinsed: Kidney, Cannelli, Black and Navy (or your favorite)
Added 1 can Rotel Tomatoes with green chilies (if you like more tomatoes...add them!)
            1 4 oz can tomato sauce
Added chopped garlic-to taste (1-2 tsp fresh or already minced)
            onions-1 small diced
            Parsley, Basil-2 Tbs each
            2 Tbs of Beef Better than Broth (LOVE this...
                     gives a much better taste then broth in a box or can)
            1/2 cup red wine
            Salt and Pepper to taste
Covered the ingredients with water. Cook on HI. At the 2-3 hour mark I added 2/3 cup elbow macaroni and a large handful of fresh spinach. Cook another hour. Add Salt and pepper again if needed. If you like it spicy, add hot sauce/cayenne etc the last hour and/or use hot Italian sausage.
Serve topped with Parmesan and crusty Italian Bread.


The flavors exploded in my mouth! Very pleased if I say so myself!!
Have fun with this by altering the recipe to suit your tastes!

LOADED CAULIFLOWER

I found this on Facebook and would love to give credit because it was DELISH!

LOADED CAULIFLOWER

You won't be...lieve it's low carb!!!

Ingredients:
1 large head of Cauliflower cut into bite size pieces (approx 6 cups)
6-8 strips of bacon cooked and crumbled (Cooked in oven at 400° for 20 mins) I personally use 1/2 lb of the bacon to split between inside and topping.
6 Tbs chopped Chives
1/2 cup Mayonnaise
1/2 cup Sour Cream
2 cups Colby Jack Cheese ( may use cheddar)
8 oz container sliced mushrooms (optional)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 425°
In a large pot boil water and cook Cauliflower for 8 - 10 minutes, drain and let cool.
In a large bowl combine sour cream, mayo, 1/2 of crumbled bacon, 3 tbs chives, 1 cups of cheese,mushrooms and cauliflower and mix well... place in baking dish and cover with remaining 1 cup of cheese and rest of bacon crumbles. Bake for 15-20 minutes until cheese is melted. top with remaining 3 T chives and serve.
ENJOY!!!!

NOTE: THIS WAS DELISH!