Sun-Dried Tomato and Basil Pasta

I've been slacking lately with making new recipes but with our basil plant in full bloom, I knew I wanted to try something with basil. I also happened to love sun-dried tomatoes so this was the perfect combination for a summer meal. It yields 6 servings so we even have plenty of leftovers for later this week. Oh, and it was delicious!

Sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers, and basil

Making the sauce

Pasta and sauce mixed together

Sun-Dried Tomato and Basil Pasta

Ingredients:

1 lb penne pasta
2 Tbsp olive oil
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp kosher salt
1 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
1 7¼ oz jar roasted red bell peppers, chopped
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
3 Tbsp butter
½ tsp crushed red pepper
1 cup chopped fresh basil
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook pasta until al dente and set aside.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the oil runs quickly in the pan, add garlic and saute until slightly browned. Add salt, tomatoes, peppers, cream, butter and crushed red pepper.
3. Simmer over medium heat for 2 minutes. Stir in ½ cup basil and simmer for 1 minute longer.
4. Add pasta to sauce and add the cheese and remaining basil.

Yields 6 servings

from Rookie Cookie