Rotini with Spinach Meat Sauce

Here's a great way to get your leafy-greens with a traditional meat sauce recipe.


Feeds about 4 hungry adults. :)


Ingredients:

• 2lbs of Ground Chuck (approx)
  
• 3/4 of a Sweet Onion (sliced into thin slivers and slivers halved to resemble the letter "C")
  
• 1 Bag of Baby Spinach Leaves (washed and dried)
• 2 - 15oz Cans of Tomato Sauce
• 1 - 8oz Can of Tomato Paste
• 2 Paste Cans Full of Water
• 1/2 Cup of White Sugar
• 2 Tablespoons of Ground Black Pepper
• 1 Tablespoon of Dried Sweet Basil
• 1/2 Cup of Romano or Parmesan Cheese (it's best freshly grated)
  
• 1/2 Box of Rotini Noodles (or your favorite pasta)

Directions: 

• Brown meat
  
• After meat has been browned, continue cooking it over medium-high heat and incorporate sliced onion. Cook until onion becomes transparent, add spinach (you may have to add half a bag at a time depending on the size of your pan - it will cook down).
• Once the spinach has cooked down, drain meat mixture and return to a pan (a stock pot is good).
• Add in sauce, paste, sugar, basil, pepper, cheese, and water and stir. Cook on high heat until sauce boils. 
• Once boiling, turn down to simmer for 30 minutes - stirring occasionally. 
• During this time, start boiling water for Rotini and Cook (about 9 minutes or according to box directions).
• After the sauce and pasta have finished cooking, take several large spoonfuls of sauce and mix with the pasta to keep it from sticking. 
• Serve sauce over pasta, top with additional Romano/Parmesan and enjoy! This recipe is great with a crusty bread from your grocer's bakery. :)

Enjoy!