Tomato and Spinach Pasta

Aldi. *sigh* If you have one near you, then you know what I mean when I say that for some foods, particularly tortilla chips and pastas, there ain't nothin' better. The prices are unbeatable and the efficiency is delightful. One brand, one choice, one price all wrapped into delightful practicality. The place ranks up there with my love of Southwest Airlines and engineering.

I no longer live near an Aldi (as we recently moved from Delaware to Mississippi) and I mourn each time I go to the grocery store. I miss my family and my friends, and then I miss Aldi.

Despite my distance, I have kept a piece of Aldi with me and that is this delightful dish we found on the back of the penne box. It is extremely simple, yet taste-bud tantalizing. The red wine vinegar is essential! It penetrates the tomatoes, making this meal simply divine. [My mouth is watering just thinking about it.] Not to mention it has spinach in it, which gives you like 400% of your daily value vitamin C and K or something like that. So, now that you are convinced that this will taste good and be healthy for all the little cells in your body, go try it!

Tomato and Spinach Pasta

8 oz penne or other awesomely shaped pasta, prepared to al dente

1 tbsp olive oil
2 cloves of garlic, minced
20 pepperoni, chopped into large pieces (If you are feeling fancy you can use pancetta...I'm not that fancy.)

1/4 C red wine vinegar
1 15 oz can diced tomatoes, excess liquid drained off

3 C fresh baby spinach

In a frying pan heat and slightly fry pepperonis letting them sizzle for a minute or so. Drain the grease. Add olive oil and let it heat up until HOT. Add garlic and stir constantly for 30 seconds, taking care not to burn it.

Add vinegar and tomatoes and bring to low simmer. Let simmer for 5 minutes.

Add spinach and stir until spinach begins to wilt. Remove from heat.

Serve over pasta with ample amounts of Parmesan cheese!

Enjoy!

recipe idea modified from Aldi's penne box recipe