One-Pan Pasta Pot

I like cooking and baking. I'm not as fond of the clean-up. Who is? So when I see a recipe for something I can put together in one skillet, it's appealing.

We like spaghetti and cavatini as much as anyone. But it's kind of nice to try a little something different for a pasta dish. This rich and creamy tomato sauce covers the pasta, as well as fresh spinach and halved cherry tomatoes. It also includes two kinds of cheeses - ricotta and freshly-shredded Parmesan. You can't go wrong with cheese!

The original recipe was meatless, but that doesn't go over too well with my meat-loving husband. So I added some smoked sausage. It would be good with chicken, too. But that's Randy's least favorite meat. Well, he probably likes liver less. But since I don't like liver either, there's no danger of it appearing on the table anytime soon.

This, on the other hand, will definitely appear on our table again.

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One-Pan Pasta Pot

Adapted from Call Me PMC

7 oz. smoked sausage
12 oz. rotini pasta
1/4 cup basil pesto
1 tbsp. minced garlic
24 oz. can diced fire-roasted tomatoes, undrained
1/2 cup enchilada sauce
1 1/4 cups water with 2 tsp. chicken bouillon powder dissolved into it
2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 cups fresh spinach
1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
4 oz. ricotta cheese
1/2 cup freshly shredded Parmesan cheese

Cut smoked sausage into rounds and gently brown in a large non-stick skillet. Add pasta, pesto, garlic, tomatoes, enchilada sauce and water to the skillet. Bring liquid to a boil. Reduce heat to medium; cover with the lid and continue cooking until the pasta is tender, about 15 minutes. Stir in vinegar, cream, ricotta and Parmesan cheese. Stir until melted. Toss in spinach and cherry tomatoes. Serve with additional shredded Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Note: You can use regular diced tomatoes. I bought fire-roasted tomatoes, but I really couldn't tell the difference. Next time, I'll just use regular canned, diced tomatoes from my hometown grocery store.

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Today, I'm linked to Weekend Potluck, hosted by these bloggers. Check out the tried-and-true recipes from them and other foodies!

• Served Up With Love ~ Melissa
• The Country Cook~ Brandie
• The Better Baker ~ Marsha
• Sweet Little Bluebird~ Mary
• Mommy’s Kitchen~ Tina 

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Looking for another pasta alternative? Try Spicy Sausage Pasta, also a tried-and-true recipe from The County Line via Brent.