Fiesta Pasta Sauce

I love beans. They contain so many nutrients (fiber, protein, and many vitamins and minerals) that they belong to both the meat and vegetable food groups. So, here's another bean recipe from last week.

Ingredients:

1 lb bulk pork sausage
1 12-oz bottle chili sauce (I used Thai Sweet Chili Sauce. It was spicy and delicious!)
2 14.5-oz cans diced tomatoes
1 15-oz can tomato sauce
1 onion, coarsely chopped
1 cup green pepper, coarsely chopped
1 15.5-oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
5 large garlic cloves, pressed or minced (I used minced garlic from a jar)
1/4 tsp liquid smoke (I didn't add this)
1/2 tsp thyme
1 tsp dry basil, crushed
24 oz medium shell or linguini pasta

Directions:

In a heavy skillet over medium heat, brown sausage. Drain grease. Return sausage to pan and add 1 cup water to meat. Bring water to a boil. Pour into a strainer and drain. (This step reduces fat to a more heart-healthy level. I also rinsed the meat to reduce fat even more). Combine all ingredients, except pasta, in a slow cooker. Cook 4 hours on high or 8-12 hours on low. Cook pasta, serve sauce over pasta. Garnish with cheese, if desired.

Yield: 9 one-cup servings.