Yummy Pasta

It's been a while since I've posted a pasta recipe. Josh and Nate were here on Saturday night cleaning their guns because they went shooting on Friday. I was starving and didn't have a whole lot in the house, and I couldn't leave because I was blocked in. Ok, I could have asked for someone to move, but I really didn't feel like going to the store anyway. I was looking at the Kraft Food & Family catalog/magazine that came a few weeks ago and found this recipe.

Spinach-Pasta Toss
Prep: 5min Total: 25min
Makes: Six servings, one cup each

What you need:
1 can (14.5oz) Italian-style diced tomatoes, undrained
2 cups multi-grain penne pasta, uncooked
1 cup water
1 package (9oz) baby spinach leaves
1 cup Kraft 2% Milk Shredded Italian Three Cheese Blend

Make It:
Bring tomatoes, pasta, and water to boil in large saucepan; stir. Cover; simmer on medium-low heat 10 min. Uncover; simmer 1 min. or just until pasta is tender.
Add half the spinach; simmer, covered, 2 min. or until wilted. Stir. Repeat with remaining spinach.
Serve topped with cheese.

My way:
I'm thinking that I used too much pasta. It says 2 cups, but I went two cups by weight, not volume, so I used an entire box, when I don't think I was supposed to. I haven't tried it without using so much pasta yet. Anyway, I was a little hesitant because I've never made pasta this way before. I always boil it until its cooked and then add the sauce, so this was different for me. It worked though. I had to let it simmer a little longer than it called for because the pasta was still a bit hard. Since I knew the guys were going to be eating it, I didn't add all the spinach the recipe called for. I used about half of a bag, and it was fine. I think if I had used the whole thing it would have been too much. I knew they weren't going to like it if it didn't have more sauce in it, so I added a big (30oz) can of tomato sauce to it, and it turned out great. They really didn't even complain that there wasn't any meat in it. I just used what we had in the cabinet, so don't worry about substitutions. I used a can of plain diced tomatoes and added Italian herbs to it (basil, oregano, thyme), and I didn't have the fancy Kraft Cheese, so I just used what we had. It's not a big deal. I really like that I didn't have to drain this pasta, I always burn myself with the steam, so that was a nice change :). This dish was great. If my instructions are confusing, click on the link above for the Kraft directions. Enjoy.

Note: I did not become a professional photographer, but that is a picture of this recipe. Its from Kraftfoods.com.