Note from Kare: Brandy from Nutmeg Nanny is back with this easy (truly) cheesy (absolutely) dinner that’s not only on your plate in 20 minutes flat, but it’s dang tasty too. Brandy’s one-pot pasta method is a bit different than mine, in that hers is way more hands-off, so it’s even easier. Gotta love it. Take it away Brandy!

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Confession: When the whole “one pot” pasta thing came to be all the rage I hated it. The thought of cooking pasta in the same pan where I made sauce totally freaked me out. I was worried the sauce would taste too starchy or the pasta wouldn’t cook right and it would turn out either gummy or too soggy.

Good news! I was totally wrong. One pot pasta is the best and here is why:

1. One pot people. One pot is all you have to wash after you make this dish.
2. The noodles cook up totally fine – I was crazy for thinking they wouldn’t.
3. It’s crazy easy and no one wants to spend hours cooking on a weeknight.

This One-Pot Cheesy Pasta Florentine is PACKED full of baby spinach, tomatoes, sharp Asiago cheese and just a touch of cream. Sometimes when you see creamy one pot dishes they are packed full of cheese and tons of cream. While I don’t mind a little (there is something to be said for deliciously creamy pasta) cream I don’t need my pasta swimming in heavy cream. Am I right?

Now, I made this version meat free BUT all you have to do is grill up some chicken and toss it in for the meat-eaters. I have also been known to buy a rotisserie chicken and pick off the meat for my pasta. It’s a total time saver.

Also, I added TONS of spinach to this pasta but feel free to balance your spinach addition based on your love (or not love) of that delicious green vegetable. I have also used baby kale in this dish before too and it was totally delicious!

Oh and don’t get hung up on what pasta to use. I honestly like to use whatever tube shaped pasta I have sitting in my pantry. No need to make special trips for special pasta unless of course you are like me and have an undying love for cavatappi. I know, can’t stop/won’t stop about my love of all cavatappi shaped pasta.

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