Nothing says winter cooking like a steaming bowl of soup. With the current frigid temperatures here in Minnesota nothing works better to warm you up while filling your tummy than this wonderful Italian Soup. It combines two of my favorite things, tomato soup and sausage and is fairly quick and very easy to make.  This recipe was originally discovered by my mom from a Pillsbury cookbook many years ago but I was unable to locate it on the Pillsbury website. It has been a favorite in my family and I’m certain it will be a favorite in yours as well!

Italian Soup

1 lb. Italian Sausage (hot or mild)

1/2 c. chopped green pepper

1/2 c. chopped onion

28 oz. diced tomatoes

(2) 8 oz. cans tomato sauce

2 c. water

1 T. instant chicken bouillon/cubes

1/2 t. garlic powder

3/4 c. macaroni or small pasta shells

shredded cheese for topping (we like cheddar)

Directions: Brown sausage, green pepper and onion. Drain. Stir in all other ingredients except macaroni. Cover and simmer 15 minutes. Stir in macaroni. Cover and simmer an additional 12 minutes or until pasta is tender.

Serves 4-6.

Tastes great served with cornbread, garlic bread or breadsticks! Works great for leftovers and can easily be made into a double batch.  Hope you love it as much as we do!

This is my family’s fabulous Potato Salad Recipe.

Mom’s Potato Salad

5 lb potatoes cooked and cut into small wedges (Yukon Gold are extra good)

10 eggs, peeled and chopped with two left out for garnish

1 cup diced onions

3 cups Miracle Whip

2/3 – 3/4 cup French’s mustard (to taste)

1/3 – 1/2 cup milk (to your desired thickness)

2T vinegar

2T sugar

1/2 t. pepper

1 t. seasoned salt

Peel, cook & cut potatoes into wedges. Mix all ingredients together except for potatoes, onions and eggs. Stir until smooth. Add 8 diced eggs and remaining ingredients. Slice last two eggs for garnish on top. Refrigerate before serving.

This recipe is entered in the French’s 2009 Cook Off. Click here to vote for my submission! Do you have a great recipe featuring French’s products? You can check out more details on how to enter here.