According to veterinarian Jennifer Sperry, “All food and water dishes should be cleaned at least daily in hot, soapy water and dried thoroughly. Dishwasher-safe bowls are a great investment, as dishwashers do an excellent job of cleaning and sanitizing pet dishes.”

When it comes to cleaning pet bowls, steer clear of strongly scented cleansers and concentrated bleach, as your pet will probably pick up on the scent and refuse to eat or drink. Remember that most animals have a better sense of smell than humans do. Opt instead for unscented soap and hot water to effectively eliminate germs. Use gentle cleaning techniques with soft sponges to avoid scratching glazed or plastic bowls, which can promote bacteria accumulation.

While you should always keep your pet’s personal preferences in mind, Sperry recommends dishwasher-safe bowls. She says, “Glass or stainless steel dishes are preferable for pets with allergies and are also the best for pet families that prefer to use the dishwasher.”

The veterinarian also recommends paying particular attention to cats. She says, “Cats are more likely than dogs to reject food if the odor, flavor, or texture is offensive to them. They’re also less likely to drink optimal amounts of water.” So, keep an extra eye on your beloved kitty to make sure they’re taken care of.

One-pot pasta dishes are incredibly versatile, delicious, and hassle-free. When you’re pouring all the ingredients along with the dry pasta at the same time into the pot, you’re actually cutting back your cooking and cleaning time by more than half, without sacrificing the textures and flavors. Here, we’ve come up with a super easy and flavorful one-pot spaghetti recipe for you.

The Flavors

This specific one-pot spaghetti dish involves simple seasonal ingredients like chicken stock, fresh tomatoes, jarred capers, and canned artichokes. While tomatoes add a burst of sweet juice, the capers deliver a much-needed salty bite, cutting through all that sweetness of the tomatoes and the starchiness of the pasta. Finally, you can take everything up to a notch by adding a grating of mild cheddar-like briny Manchego cheese. Let’s look at the simple recipe:

Ingredients (4-6 Servings)

● Dry spaghetti, 1 pound

● Halved grape tomatoes, 1 pint

● Drained and halved artichoke hearts, 1 can or 14 ounces

● Drained capers, ¼ cup

● Chicken stock, 4 cups or 32 ounces

● Finely chopped fresh basil leaves, 1 packed cup

● Kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon

● Ground black pepper, 1/8 teaspoon

● Grated Manchego cheese, ½ cup (optional)

Method

● Take a large lidded skillet and add the dry spaghetti, artichoke hearts, tomatoes, chicken stock, capers, and basil leaves. Season with salt and black pepper. ● Place the skillet over high heat and bring it up to a boil, while covering it with the lid. Stir occasionally to make sure that the pasta doesn’t stick to the bottom of the skillet. You’ll need 6-7 minutes for the stock to start boiling. ● As soon as the stock comes to a boil, uncover the skillet and stir the spaghetti well. Continue cooking without putting the lid on. Keep stirring occasionally. It’ll take about 13 minutes until the pasta becomes al dente and the stock reduces to a glutinous sauce. ● If the skillet looks dry and the pasta isn’t cooked through at this point, pour an additional ½ cup water or stock and keep cooking. The final cooking time will basically depend on your stove’s strength and your spaghetti brand. ● After the pasta is cooked through, remove the skillet from the heat. Taste and add more seasonings if needed. Sprinkle in Manchego cheese if you like, and then toss to combine. Serve the spaghetti dish warm, and enjoy!

Preservation

You can refrigerate the leftover spaghetti (if there’s any) by storing it in an airtight container for a maximum of three days. Reheat the dish on the stovetop over low to medium heat. Add a little bit of water or chicken stock. Cook until it gets warmed through and then it’s ready for serving!