Three Pepper Pasta Toss Recipes

THREE PEPPER PESTO PASTA

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions, drain and set aside; keep warm.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees, toast pine nuts on a cookie sheet for 2-3 minutes, do not over toast.
• Transfer pine nuts to a food processor.
• Spray an unheated large skillet with olive oil no stick spray - or use 1 teaspoons olive oil. Add the red, yellow and green peppers. Stir in the onions and garlic.
• Cook over medium heat for about 6 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Meanwhile, add basil and garlic to blender or food processor. Blend until finely chopped. Slowly pour oil, then chicken broth in thin streams with the blender/processor running.
• Gradually add Parmesan cheese, a paste will form.
• Toss paste with pasta, divide amongst 4-6 plates.
• Top with pepper mixture.
• ((If you want to use as an entire meal add a cooked chicken breast cut into strips into the pepper mixture and cook with the peppers. Add a little extra olive oil and cook until the peppers and onions are tender.)).

THREE-PEPPER AND ONION SPAGHETTI

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil over medium heat. Salt the water, add the pasta and cook to al dente.
• Heat the extra-virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the fennel seeds and stir for 1 minute, then add all the peppers and the onions. Saute for 8 to 10 minutes, then add the garlic and season with salt and pepper, to taste. When the peppers and onions are tender, add the wine and stir for 30 seconds, then add the stock and tomatoes. Reduce the sauce for 7 to 8 minutes.
• Drain the pasta, drop it into the skillet, and toss it with the butter and the sauce. Transfer the pasta to a serving bowl, sprinkle with a little cheese, top with the basil, and serve immediately.

3 PEPPER PASTA

Steps:

• (Optional) Brown the sausage well, crumbling with a fork. Remove from skillet and set aside. Remove excess grease.
• In a large skillet, heat olive oil. Add onion and cook to desired tenderness. (I like to cook the heck out of the onions, but you really don't have to.)
• Add mushrooms and garlic and cook 3-4 minutes.
• Add peppers and cook to desired tenderness. (I only cook the peppers for a couple of minutes because I like them to stay a little bit firm.)
• When the veggies are at your desired tenderness, add the red wine vinegar and sugar. If using sausage, add the meat back to the skillet.
• If I am using fresh basil, I add it last. However, if I am using dried basil, I add it with the mushrooms.
• Pour all contents over al dente penne pasta. I like to top with grated parmesan cheese.

THREE PEPPER PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Place pasta in the pot, cook for 8 to 10 minutes, until al dente, and drain.
• In a blender or food processor, blend the olive oil, white wine vinegar, basil, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper until smooth.
• In a large bowl, toss together the cooked pasta, dressing mixture, red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, orange bell pepper, tomato, and olives. Top with mozzarella cheese to serve.