Brisket Cheesesteak Sands!!

Yep, you read that right!  We are making Philly cheesesteak sandwiches, but with brisket!  This is a crock pot dinner and therefore, right up my alley!  Hope you give it a try and enjoy!  We did!!!

Brisket Cheesesteak Sands

2 1/2 lb brisket

1 red onion

32 oz. beef broth

1 tbsp. steak seasoning

1 tsp. salt (if your steak seasoning does not already have salt in it)

8-10 slices of provolone cheese (I think I used like 15 slices...shhhhhh!)

french bread 

Directions: 

- Slice up 1 whole red onion and place on the bottom of your slow cooker.
- Add the steak seasoning and salt
- Place the brisket on top of the onions in the slow cooker.
- Pour in the beef broth.
- Cook on low for 8-10 hours.
- At the end of the cooking time, carefully remove the brisket with tongs onto a cutting board.
- Remove and discard the layer of fat on the bottom and chop up the brisket, leaving it in as large or as small of chucks as you desire.  (It is super tender, melt in your mouth so it doesn't matter!)
- Slice open the french baguette and place the sliced provolone on both sides of the bread.
- Add in the brisket and some onions from the slow cooker.
- Close the sandwich and wrap tightly in foil.
- Bake the sandwich in a 450 F oven for 10 minutes.
- Unwrap and enjoy!!

I served it with a small bowl of juice from the crock pot for dunking!

Italian Pasta Bake

Ooooh pasta, how I love thee!  :)  This is a scrumptious one pot pasta dish!  I serve most of my pasta dishes with a simple Caesar salad and you are good to go!  I use my beloved Le Creuset 3 1/2 quart brasier and it turns out perfect!  Enjoy everyone!!

Italian Pasta Bake

12 oz.  pene pasta noodles
1 lb.      Italian sausage (yes you can substitute for ground beef or chicken)
1/3 cup grated parmesan
15 oz.  can of tomato sauce
1/4 cup milk or heavy cream
2 cups  water
1/2        red onion
1 tbsp   chopped garlic
1 cup    chopped fresh spinach
1 tsp.    Italian seasoning
1 tsp.    salt
3-4       fresh basil leaves

Topping:
1/4       cup grated parmesan
1/2       cup panko bread crumbs
1/2       cup shredded mozzarella
2 tbsp. olive oil

Directions:

- In a large oven safe sauté pan, brown the Italian sausage in a couple tbsp. of olive oil.
- Add in sliced red onion, spinach leaves and Italian seasoning and sauté for 2 minutes.
- Add tomato sauce, cream, water and basil leaves and bring to a simmer.
- Stir in 1/3 cup of grated parmesan and uncooked noodles and at lid and place in a 375 F oven for 20-25 minutes (or until pasta is cooked).
- In a small bowl, mix together the topping ingredients. 
- When pasta is fully cooked, take dish out of the oven, remove the lid and turn on your broiler.
- Add the "topping" to the dish and place under broiler until golden brown and bubbly.

Serve up and dive in!!!  :)