I love Italian food. It has to be one of my favorites. There is nothing like a side salad and bread with an amazing pasta dish filled with meat. I loved Cloud 9, my husband and I went there every year for our anniversary. It was such a romantic setting. We loved going just at dusk so all the lights on the airport runway would all be lit up. Jazz music would be gently playing in the background and the alluring ambiance made it so warming. It’s nice to sit with your husband and have a one on one conversation. No, “MOMMA I have to go potty!” or “Mom, so did you know that the earth spins 1,000 mph!? If the earth was smaller and we had no gravity, we would fly off.”

That’s no joke. Real story there. LOL. Love my kids, and we aren’t out too much without them, but adult evenings are nice, even though I miss those fun facts from my almost 11-year-old. He is a trip. So now that Cloud 9 closed, we love Franco’s in Williamsport and La Primavera in Lewisburg. I am a sucker for the Olive Garden too. I love me some alfredo with pasta, but it’s gotta have meat. Chicken Alfredo is always my go to. Tips and Tort from Franco’s, but with alfredo sauce instead of the red wine sauce, OMG. It is to die for! Delicious cheese filled tortellini (hence the Tort), then succulent steak tips for the Tips. It’s a match made in heaven! How can you go wrong with steak or chicken? Then cheese filled pasta instead of just plain old noodles? Lord have mercy, take my money!

One night a few weeks back my husband surprised me and got a sitter for a few hours so he could make me dinner, and we could take the motorcycles out for a night ride. It was so sweet. He always makes me his Chicken Alfredo. It is kind of his thing. He doesn’t even use jar alfredo. Guys, homemade alfredo is sooo easy! You don’t need to buy the jar crap. Stick with me, I’ll show you the ropes. That week I had already planned on putting a spin on a new alfredo. I bought cheese tortellini and hot sausage! Yup, you read that right. Sausage. I was nervous because it wasn’t my typical steak or chicken. I told Chris I had everything to make this new recipe. He was all for it and when he came home, I already had the sausage cooked and ready to go. “Seriously, why did you do that babe? I was supposed to make you dinner!” Hey, the more I get done, the more ride time on the open road we have tonight. That’s all I had to say, and he accepted the fact I started dinner for him. Just the thought of him surprising me with a night of dinner being made and a ride together meant more than anything. I showered while he finished dinner and when I got out it was smelling so good. One look at the skillet and I could not wait to try this. It looked absolutely incredible, and boy was it ever! The hot sausage gave this dish such a “pow” factor when it hit your tongue. I was honestly kind of sad my babies weren’t there to enjoy it. My son Tyler loves his alfredo as much as his momma. If you love Italian, Alfredo, and pasta, you have to try this dish. The alfredo is homemade, and so simple to make. Plan that special night for you and your loved one with one amazing meal. They will never forget it.

Cheese Tort and Sausage Alfredo
• 1 (9 oz) package of cheese tortellini
• 1 lb hot sausage
• 2 Tbsp butter
• 2 Tbsp flour
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 cup milk
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 4 oz cream cheese, cubed
• ½ cup grated parm
• Salt and pepper

Cook tortellini according to the package; set aside. In a large pan or skillet cook the sausage until cooked through, slice, and set aside. Leave all those juices from the sausage in the pan, add butter and melt. Add garlic and cook for about a minute. Then add flour and stir till mixture gets brown. Slowly add milk and cream, whisk for 2 to 3 minutes until thickened. Stir in cheeses until melted. If it’s too thick just add a little more milk. Pour over torts and sausage and serve immediately. Get ready for that “POW” effect.