Recipe

Easy One-Pot Creamy Cheese Pasta, Without the Cream

By Sophia Weller at University of Guelph

You don't always need cream to have a creamy cheese dish, and this recipe is proof. Believe me, when my mom told me the ingredients and steps for this recipe, I was skeptical it would turn into anything edible.  In the end, I was thankful I gave it a try and even made my housemate a little jealous from the scent wafting through our kitchen.

This recipe allows you to step up your staple just enough to impress anyone watching you cook. A pretty sweet bonus is that the bottom of your sink will still be visible, since you only need a couple cutting boards and one pot to throw these ingredients into one delicious meal. 

Cheesy "Creamy" Chicken Pasta

  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 20 mins
  • Total Time: 30 mins
  • Servings: 3
Ingredients
  • 2 cups spinach
  • 1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes I used in oil
  • 1 large yellow onion chopped
  • 2 chicken breasts
  • 1/2 pound pasta preferably linguine or spaghetti
  • 2 cups low sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup water
  • 4 tablespoons parmesan cheese
  • sprinkle salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 teaspoon italian seasoning or spices you have on hand I used chicken seasoning

Step 1

Add in 1 cup of spinach to your pot. You may sense your mom smiling as you do.

Photo by Sophia Weller

Step 2

Drain 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes—do this by pressing a spoon against them while tilting the cup so excess oil is drained.
These look kinda funny but once you take a whiff you won't hesitate to add them in your pot.

Photo By Sophia Weller

Step 3

Cut your onion in half and chop up to smaller pieces. Add the onion to your pot before it sees you cry.

Photo by Sophia Weller

Step 4

Cut your chicken into cubes and add to pot (if you haven't got the memo yet, this recipe mainly consists of adding the ingredients to your pot, so it couldn't be easier).

Step 5

Measure out 4 tablespoons of parmesan cheese. Take a moment to appreciate its existence before adding it to your pot.

Photo by Sophia Weller

Step 6

After adding your pasta, sprinkle in your spices.

Gif courtesy of Giphy.com

Step 7

After pouring in your chicken broth and water, bring it to a boil. Once boiling, use a spatula to stir the noodles into the pot and continue mixing periodically for at least 10 minutes until only a bit of liquid is left in your pot. If it looks creamy, you're gucci.

Photo By Sophia Weller