Creamy Spinach and Artichoke Pasta

Ingredients

• 2 oz Cream Cheese
• 2 Garlic Cloves
• 6 oz Artichoke Hearts
• 1 oz Cheese and Garlic Croutons
• 6 oz Cavatappi Pasta
• ¼ tsp. Red Pepper Flakes
• 4 oz Baby Spinach
• 4 fl. oz. Heavy Whipping Cream
• 2 oz Grated Parmesan Cheese
• Olive Oil
• Salt Pepper
• and crush into coarse crumbs.

Instructions

1. 1

   Cooking Spray: Medium Oven-Safe Casserole

2. 2

   Cook Within: When making sauce, remove from burner before adding cream cheese to avoid separation. If cream cheese does not fully incorporate, return pan to medium heat for 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until dissolved. The beginnings of spinach and artichoke dip is a mystery, but one theory floating around places its origins with returning World War II soldiers. The soldiers wanted those classic European flavors they had gotten used to: artichoke, spinach, garlic, olive oil, lemon, and crusty

3. 3

   Prepare the Ingredients: Mince garlic. Rinse artichokes. Keep croutons in bag and crush into coarse crumbs.

4. 4

   Make the Sauce: Return pot used to cook pasta to medium heat.

5. 5

   Add cream and bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring: often, until reduced by half, 2-3 minutes. Remove pot from burner and stir in cream cheese and half the Parmesan (reserve remaining for topping pasta) until combined. Season with ½ tsp. salt and ¼ tsp. pepper. Add cooked pasta, spinach, and artichokes.

6. 6

   Cook the Pasta: Add pasta to boiling water and cook until al dente, 11-13 minutes. Drain in colander and set aside. Reserve pot; no need to wipe clean. While pasta cooks, cook spinach.

7. 7

   Transfer pasta mixture to prepared casserole dish: and spread into an even layer. Top with remaining Parmesan and crouton crumbs. Bake until top is lightly browned, 8-10 minutes. Rest 5 minutes before

8. 8

   Cook the Spinach: Line a plate with a paper towel. Heat 1 tsp. olive oil garlic and red pepper flakes (to taste) to hot pan and cook until fragrant, 30 seconds. Add spinach and cook, stirring often, until just wilted, 1-2 minutes. Transfer to towel-lined plate and let sit 1-2 minutes to remove excess moisture.

9. 9

   Plate the Dish: Serve pasta family style straight from casserole dish. twice. Half is added to sauce and remaining is sprinkled over pasta way when it comes to red pepper flakes. Add a pinch at first, taste, and add more if desired. the recipe before you start–we promise it will be time Ƀ Set cream cheese on counter to Ƀ Bring a medium pot of lightly salted water to a boil Ƀ Prepare a casserole dish with Ƀ Place a colander in the sink

10. 10

    Mince garlic. Rinse artichokes. Keep croutons in bag