So have you heard about this craze thats all over the internet?  The “Italian Wonderpot” some like to call it.  I have been hearing about this ridiculous sounding recipe from my mom for at least a month.  “Honey, you have to try it”.  “Make it for Nick, he will love it”.  Her and my dad both totally enjoyed it and she clearly wanted to share the wealth with me.  But I struggled with the whole idea.  How in the world could something like this taste good and keep a good texture?  And there is no way this will cook and be flavorful in such a short amount of time.  Wasn’t buying it, folks.  Not one bit.

Yesterday came and after a week long plan for “pasta Sunday” I had no real plan at all.  And with EXTREMELY lazy bones, I thought it might be a good day for this so called Wonderpot.  As I headed into the kitchen at 5 o’clock Nick came in.  “What do you need me to do?”.  And then it occurred to me.  Nick is always wanting to help out in the kitchen on pasta Sundays but most of the time my controlling self prefers to do it alone so I tell him I don’t need any help.  But today.  OOOOhhhhhh today was different.  I was not one bit excited about this dish and was pretty darn tired to top it all off.  “Actually, this would be a perfect meal for you to make.  Its super easy and takes no time at all” I told him.  He was signed up before I even finished my sentence; washing his hands and getting the cutting board out-bless his heart.  So we decided this was going to turn into Nicks deal..photos and all.  I bellied up to his workspace and watched (of course I did give a few suggestions..but ONLY when I was asked, I swear!!).

The bottom line is that we were shocked with the results.  Totally, utterly shocked at how something so ridiculously simple could result in such deliciousness.  Nickyboy was proud, to say the least.  And he should have been…he made some really great changes to the recipe that guided us and it turned out just perfect.  The chicken stock adds just the right flavor, the spices are spot on and the parmesan and tiny bit of cream cut the acid of the tomatoes beautifully.  You will love this, I swear.  And now, I present to you….One Pot Italian Pasta…recipe and photos courtesy of some random cute guy that was in my kitchen 😉

One Pot Italian Pasta

Adapted from this recipe

Ingredients

4 Cups Chicken Stock

2 Tablespoons Olive Oil

14 Ounces Brown Rice or Quinoa Fettuccine

1 (28 ounce) Can Petite Diced Tomatoes

1 Medium Onion, finely chopped

7 Cloves Garlic, finely chopped

1 Tablespoon Dried Italian Seasoning

1/2 Teaspoon Salt

1/4 Teaspoon Pepper

1 Pound Cooked Ground Italian Sausage

4 Cups Packed Fresh Spinach

1 Cup Freshly Shredded Parmesan

1/4 Cup Heavy Cream

Crushed Red Pepper Flakes

Directions

Break pasta in half and add it to a large pot along with chicken stock, olive oil, tomatoes, onion, garlic, italian seasoning, salt and pepper.  Give the ingredients a stir, place over high heat and cover.  Bring the pot to a full boil, remove the lid and turn the heat down to medium.  Boil over medium heat for 7 minutes,  gently stirring occasionally to ensure the noodles are not sticking to the bottom of the pot.  Stir in spinach, sausage, parmesan and cream and bring back to a simmer.  Remove from heat and serve topped with red pepper flakes and additional parmesan, if desired.  Serves 4+