Pennesurpreme Recipes

PENNE WITH PESTO

Steps:

• Meanwhile, pluck the basil leaves from the stems (you should have about 2 cups leaves). Wash the leaves in a large bowl of cold water and dry in a salad spinner or pat dry with paper towels. Smash and peel the garlic.
• Put the basil, garlic, and pine nuts in a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped. With the processor running, gradually add the olive oil and process until the pesto is smooth. Transfer the pesto to a large bowl and stir in the cheese. Season with the salt and some pepper.
• Bring a large pot of cold water to a boil over high heat and salt it generously. Add the penne and boil, stirring occasionally, until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain in a colander and save about 1/4 cup pasta cooking water. Add the pasta to the bowl. Use tongs and toss with enough of the cooking water so the pesto coats the pasta evenly. Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm.
• Upgrades: a. Make the pesto creamy by adding 1/4 cup ricotta cheese when processing the basil, garlic, and pine nuts. This is great with tortellini or ravioli. b. Top dressed pesto pasta with 1/2 pound diced large or halved small fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini), 3 medium tomatoes cut in large chunks, and 1/2 cup pitted black olives, (we like kalamata for this), roughly chopped. c. Add cooked 1 to 2 cups chicken or shrimp.
• Twists on Pesto: In place of basil, try the following combination: 1 cup parsley, 1 cup fresh spinach leaves, 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary leaves, 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves. Substitute walnuts for the pine nuts

ONE SKILLET CHEESY PENNE

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large nonstick, oven proof skillet or Dutch oven over medium high heat. Add meat and season with 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper and 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes. Add onions and carrots and cook until meat is browned.
• Add bell pepper and garlic and cook for 1 minute. Stir in crushed tomatoes, fire roasted tomatoes, tomato paste, chicken bouillon, sugar, and all seasonings and bring to a simmer. Simmer gently uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• After 10 minutes, stir in the water and pasta. Cover, increase heat to medium-high and cook at a vigorous simmer (you may need to decrease heat), stirring occasionally and replacing lid, just until the pasta is al dente, 12-16 minutes. Taste pasta often as reaches the end of cooking to ensure you don't overcook your pasta.
• Stir in the cream, Parmesan, and cheddar until well combined. Top the pasta evenly with mozzarella. Transfer the skillet to the oven (on the middle rack) and broil until the cheese is melted and golden, 2-3 minutes. Let sit at least 5 minutes before serving.
• This makes wonderful leftovers - I think the flavors are even better the next day!

ITALIAN CHICKEN AND PENNE

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. In a nonstick wok, stir-fry the chicken, pepper, onion and garlic in oil until chicken is no longer pink. Add the pasta, mushrooms, tomatoes, sauce and seasoning; heat through. Remove from heat. Sprinkle with cheese; let stand until melted.

SAUSAGE AND PEPPER PENNE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; add penne and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat, and cook and stir sausage, onion, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, orange bell pepper, and mushrooms until vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes.
• Stir diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, minced garlic, garlic powder, oregano, basil, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes into vegetable mixture; bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes.
• Drain pasta and spoon onto plates and top with sauce mixture.

SUPREME MACARONI & CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 13x9-inch baking dish; set aside.
• In a Dutch oven, combine milk, 1 cup cream, butter, and salt. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Add pasta; cook for 12 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat; add 1 cup Parmesan cheese, stirring until cheese is melted. (Or, you can simply have already boiled pasta and then add the cooked and drained pasta into the cream mixture, and then stir in the Parmesan cheese. You can also add a cup of shredded cheddar cheese, if you desire). (You can also substitute the pasta for peeled and cut cooked potatoes for a lovely scalloped or au gratin potatoes).
• Spoon pasta mixture into prepared baking dish. (Stir in chunks of cooked ham, if desired). Pour remaining 1 cup cream over pasta. Top with remaining 1 cup Parmesan cheese (and some shredded cheddar cheese, too, if you wish). Evenly sprinkle parsley and paprika over top of cheese. Bake for 20 minutes, or until lightly browned and bubbly.

PENNE PASTA SKILLET

Steps:

• Brown meat in large skillet on medium heat; drain. Return meat to skillet.
• Add pasta sauce and water; mix well. Stir in pasta.
• Bring to boil; cover. Simmer on medium-low heat 16 to 18 min. or until pasta is tender; stir.
• Top with cheese; cover. Cook 1 min. or until cheese is melted.