Creamy Spinach Artichoke Shell Pasta with Bacon Bits and Parmesan Cheese

If you like pasta, cheese, and/or bacon (I'm not going to even ponder whether or not you like spinach...), then you'll like this pasta. Like all spinach recipes, there are no precise measurements. Because the only measurement that matters is 'lots'. As in, lots of spinach, lots of pasta and lots of cheese. Everything else is secondary and will come naturally.

Cheese recipes can never be vegan. But this recipe can easily be vegetarian if you substitute bacon bits with toasted pine nuts. Or toasted bread crumbs. Anything crumbly and delicious will do.

You will need:

Pasta shells

Few handfuls of spinach

Couple tbs. butter

Broth (chicken or veggie)

Milk

Fresh garlic

Artichoke hearts

Monterey Jack Cheese

Half red onion

Parmesan Cheese

Cayenne Pepper

Salt & Pepper

Flour

Prep the things that need to be prepped -- dice up the half onion and a couple cloves of garlic. 

Brown the garlic in a pan with some butter along with the onions. 

Stir in the spinach and artichokes. Now's a good time to boil the pasta, too. If you need, add a bit more butter and then sprinkle in a pinch or two of flour. Maybe a tsp. or two. Mix until blended with the butter.

When the spinach wilts a bit and you have room in your pan, pour in about equal parts of broth and milk. If you prefer more creamy, than more milk. (Or use cream rather than milk). If you prefer more saucy, then less milk. Mix in the cheeses (About one part cheese, one part milk). You can of course add as much cheese as you want...but sharp parmesan goes a long way.

Fold in salt, pepper, and some cayenne for a little spicy kick. If you don't like spicy, stay away from cayenne. 

Let the cheese sauce simmer and mix until the pasta is done. Drain your noodles.

When the cheese is all melted and you have a cheesy, spinachy sauce, then pour the sauce over the pasta and mix. It's kind of like sophisticated mac and cheese. 

Ta da. 

To serve...scoop a hefty helping on a plate, sprinkle with extra parmesan cheese and some bacon bits. Butterfly plate optional. Then enjoy!

-D