EASY WEEKNIGHT PASTA

Ingredients:

• 1 box (1 lb.) long noodle wheat pasta (like spaghetti, linguine, fettuccine)
• 1 sweet onion, peeled and thinly sliced
• 4 cloves garlic, finely diced
• 3 cups cherry tomatoes (any kind); sliced in half
• 4 to 6 cups fresh spinach, split
• 2 handfuls of fresh basil + more for garnish
• 2 teaspoons salt
• freshly black pepper
• ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes + more if desired
• 2 to 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 4 cups water
• freshly grated parmesan cheese
• optional:  Add black olives, blue cheese, or Feta!

Instructions:

1. Place everything into your pot or large deep pan: the pasta, onions, garlic, tomatoes, 2 cups of spinach, basil, salt, pepper and crushed red pepper flakes. Add in the olive oil and then add in the water.
2. Bring everything to a high boil and then, turn down the heat to medium and begin mixing everything up together using tongs. Continue mixing and stirring constantly the entire time the pasta is cooking so your pasta noodles don’t stick together.
3. Let the pasta cook for about 10 to 12 minutes (depending on what type of pasta you are using). During the last few minutes of cooking, add the remaining 3 to 4 cups of spinach and mix to combine. Taste, season with more salt and pepper if desired and garnish with some freshly grated parmesan cheese. Serve and enjoy.