Best Penne With Pesto Cream Sauce And Sun Dried Tomatoes 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

PENNE WITH PESTO CREAM SAUCE AND SUN-DRIED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Cook penne according to directions, about 9 minutes for al dente.
• In a medium-size saucepan, simmer cream over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it has reduced by a third. Remove from heat and stir in the pesto sauce and sun-dried tomatoes. Let stand a little to let the sauce thicken, if desired.
• When the penne is cooked, drain well and add the cream sauce. Season with salt and pepper, and toss to coat the pasta well with the sauce.
• Serve immediately, sprinkled with the cheese, if desired.

PENNE WITH CHICKEN AND PESTO

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
• Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute chicken and garlic until chicken is almost cooked. Reduce heat and stir in salt, pepper, cream, pesto and Parmesan cheese. Cook until chicken is no longer pink inside. Stir in cooked pasta.

PENNE WITH SUN-DRIED TOMATO PESTO AND CHICKEN

Steps:

• Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to the bite (al dente), stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes.
• Meanwhile chop cooked chicken.
• Drain pasta, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid.
• Blend the sun-dried tomatoes and their oil, garlic, salt and pepper, to taste, and basil in a food processor and blend until the tomatoes are very finely chopped.
• Transfer the tomato mixture to a large bowl and stir in the Parmesan and the chicken.
• Add the pasta to the pesto and toss to coat, adding enough reserved cooking liquid to moisten.
• Season the pasta to taste, with salt and pepper and serve.

BOW TIES WITH SAUSAGE, TOMATOES AND CREAM

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook pasta in boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes, or until al dente; drain.
• Heat oil in a large, deep skillet over medium heat. Cook sausage and pepper flakes until sausage is evenly brown. Stir in onion and garlic, and cook until onion is tender. Stir in tomatoes, cream, and salt. Simmer until mixture thickens, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Stir cooked pasta into sauce, and heat through. Sprinkle with parsley.

PASTA WITH SPICY SUN-DRIED-TOMATO CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat oil in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic; sauté 1 minute. Add tomatoes, cream, red peppers and crushed red pepper; simmer over medium heat 2 minutes. Stir in 1/2 cup basil and simmer 1 minute longer.
• Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Drain, reserving 3/4 cup pasta cooking liquid. Return pasta to pot. Add sauce, cheese and 1/2 cup basil and toss to coat. Add enough reserved cooking liquid to pasta to moisten if dry. Season with salt and pepper.