Quick Fettuccine Cacciatore

Prep Time: 5 min.

Cook Time: -

Serves: 4 

Ingredients

8 ounces fettuccine, uncooked

2 teaspoons oil

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces

1 cup green pepper strips

1 cup sliced mushrooms

1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained

1/4 cup KRAFT Zesty Italian Dressing

1/2 cup KRAFT Shredded Italian Mozzarella/Parmesan Cheese Blend

1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves

  

Cooking Directions:

Cook pasta as directed on package.

Meanwhile, heat oil in large skillet on medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook and stir until no longer pink. Add peppers and mushrooms; cook 3 min., stirring occasionally. Stir in tomatoes with their liquid and the dressing. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer 5 min. or until chicken is cooked through.

Drain pasta. Toss pasta with the chicken mixture; sprinkle with cheese and basil.

Yield: 4 servings

Still Hungry?

This tomato-based pasta is made hearty with chicken and topped with a delicious blend of Italian cheeses. It's a guaranteed family pleaser.

Notes:

Flavor Boost

Add 1 cup drained pitted ripe olives along with the tomatoes.

Substitute: You can use 4 cups of any of your favorite pasta shapes in this recipe.

Marinated Zucchini with Bow Ties

Ingredients

3 tablespoons olive oil

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 pounds zucchini, cut in half lengthwise then into 1/4-inch slices

2 1/2 teaspoons salt

3/4 pound plum tomatoes, seeded and diced

1/2 cup chopped fresh basil

5 tablespoons wine vinegar

1 1/2 teaspoons fresh-ground black pepper

1 pound bow ties

1/3 cup olive oil

Cooking Directions

In a large frying pan, heat 3 tablespoons of the oil over moderate heat. Add the garlic, zucchini, and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 5 minutes. 

Transfer the zucchini to a large stainless-steel, glass, or ceramic bowl and stir in the tomatoes, basil, vinegar, the remaining 2 teaspoons salt, and the pepper.

In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the bow ties until just done, about 15 minutes. Drain the pasta and toss it with the marinated zucchini and the remaining 1/3 cup oil.

Yield: 4 servings

Still Hungry?

Garden-fresh zucchini and tomatoes make a beautiful pasta, perfect for a warm summer night's dinner. It can be served hot or at room temperature, either for four as a main course or for eight as a side dish--with grilled chicken, for instance.

Notes:

Variation: Balsamic-Marinated Zucchini with Bow Ties For a sweeter dish, you can substitute an equal amount of balsamic vinegar in place of the wine vinegar called for in the recipe.

Fusilli with Summer Tomato Sauce

This is a fun fresh pasta salad

Ingredients

2 pounds ripe tomatoes, chopped

1 large clove garlic, minced

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 1/4 teaspoons salt

1/4 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper

2/3 cup packed fresh basil

1 pound fusilli

1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving 

Preparation

1.      In a food processor or blender, combine the tomatoes, garlic, oil, salt, and pepper and puree. Add the basil and pulse just to mix.

2.    In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the fusilli until just done, about 13 minutes. Drain the pasta and toss with the sauce and the Parmesan cheese. Let sit for about 1 minute to allow the pasta to absorb some of the liquid. Serve with additional Parmesan.

Yield: 4 servings

Saucy Chicken Skillet

This one takes a little longer to make but is worth it.

Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Makes about 4 servings

8 oz Fettuccine, uncooked
1 tbs oil
4 small chicken breast halves (about a pound)
4 oz cream cheese cubed
3/4 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup vinaigrette dressing (we use balsamic but you can try another flavor if you wish)
2 green onions chopped
2 tbs Fresh basil or parsley
1/2 cup snow peas
1/2 cherry tomatoes halved

Cook pasta

Heat oil in  large skillet on med heat. Add chicken; cook 5 min on each side or until browned on both sides.

Stir in cream cheese, broth, dressing, green onions, basil. cook and stir until sauce begins to thicken and chicken is cooked through (170 degrees). Add snow peas and tomatoes; cook 2-4 min or until snow peas are crisp tender, stirring occasionally.

Serve over pasta