Creamy Basil & Red Pepper Pasta

photo by:kraft

Don't panic. 6:00 sneaks up on all of us. Chicken in creamy pureed roasted red pepper sauce served over pasta are a lifesaver any night of the week.

time

prep:

10 min

total:

25 min

servings

total:

4 servings, 1-1/2 cups each

add your photo

add to shopping list

add to recipe box

send/share

What You Need

cups penne pasta, uncooked

jar (7 oz.) roasted red peppers, well drained

oz. (1/2 of 8-oz. pkg.) PHILADELPHIA Fat Free Cream Cheese, softened

1/2

cup fresh basil

1/4

cup fat-free milk

Tbsp. KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese

lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces

Make It

COOK pasta as directed on package.

MEANWHILE, blend all remaining ingredients except chicken in blender until smooth. Cook chicken in large skillet sprayed with cooking spray on medium-high heat 3 min. or until no longer pink, stirring frequently. Stir in pepper puree; simmer on medium heat 5 min. or until chicken is done and mixture is heated through, stirring frequently.

DRAIN pasta. Add to chicken mixture; mix lightly.

Kraft Kitchens Tips

Substitute

Prepare using whole wheat or multi-grain pasta.

Substitute

If fresh basil is not available, use Italian (flat leaf) parsley instead.

Rate recipes, or edit your previous ratings and more. Sign In

Ashley10241

posted:2/13/2007

Oh my gosh talk about heaven! I made this for my family and it was a hit! I added broccoli flowrets, and I used fresh red pepper of which I cooked with the chicken breast. Once I cut up the breast I threw the red pepper in the blender along with the sauce I had made with the cream cheese and milk, and parmesean, oh I also used the whole block of fat free cream cheese!

dobrauc

posted:2/9/2007

Love the flavor of the sauce - very quick. I actually used chicken I had already cooked/roasted. Have made this several times. A definite hit.

aslology

posted:1/24/2007

Very Tasty, but you must like the flavor of red peppers! I added some garlic salt and pepper.

Allieg8r94

posted:1/22/2007

We loved this dish but there was just something missing. I followed it to a T and found it way too flavor-less. The consistency was great, chicken done perfectly, but it just needed something and I couldn't figure out what to add to give it a better flavor without adding a ton of salt. Unless someone can give some ideas of what to add, we won't be making this again.

mlkling

posted:1/10/2007

I used the parsley substitute when I made this. I am not sure if this is the reason or not, but this dish was pretty blan. My husband went to the spice rack to add some zip to his and I just added seasoning salt and pepper. I will probably make this again and try it with the basil and some additional spices

dizzy_fiend17

posted:1/9/2007

very tasty and creamy!

a cook

posted:1/7/2007

Made this recipe tonight for dinner. Hubby thought it had too much basil and we both thought it was a bit bland. Reading the reviews looks like most agreed. Will take others advice and try adding some seasonings next time around.

gump6

posted:12/22/2006

The creamy basil and red pepper, I made the other nite for dinner. It came out pretty good.Good taste and easy to make.I rate it 4 stars and will make it again some time.thankyou. 12-22-2006

zaatar

posted:11/23/2006

i thought it was a bit plain. it has one of those tastes that the first bite is delicious but the second bite makes you think 'this is plain should i add anything?' i give this a 6 or 7

a cook

posted:11/22/2006

This recipe is about as easy as it gets. Realy great to make when you are on a time crunch. It has a good flavor and consistency.