Macaroni with Fresh Basil and Carrots

What a teriffic lunch idea! This meal is quick and so light and delicious, it makes the perfect light meal. I came up with this by just using what was most readily available to me in my kitchen. I always make the best creations that way...

Ingredients:

- 1/4 pound large macaroni
- 8 extra large fresh basil leaves
- 1 shredded carrot
- parmesean cheese to top
- salt
- pepper
- crushed red pepper
- olive oil

To Make:

In a medium pot, boil water and cook your macaroni according to the package. Always making sure you keep it "al-dente". Salt the water when it starts to boil.

In the meantime, shred your carrot, wash the fresh basil and rip apart the basil with your hands.

Once your pasta is ready, drain and in a large serving dish, drizzle olive oil in the bottom and dump your drained pasta into the serving dish. Add your carrots on top and salt the top. Start mixing together adding more olive oil and handfuls of basil as you go. Add some parmesan cheese on the top and mix in. Top off with some fresh black pepper, salt to taste and crushed red pepper.

FABULOUS. :-)

Jumbo Macaroni w/ Green Peppers, Peas & Fresh Basil

This meal was a true SEXY CHEF creation basically because it LITERALLY only took about 10 minutes to put together... QUICK AND EASY! I had made the sauce the previous night (easy) and had leftover sauce which I mixed with the pasta and added some delicious additions. Directions below:






Ingredients
- 2 cans PLAIN tomato sauce (any variety)(JUST tomatoes, nothing else)
- 1/2 green pepper, diced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 cup frozen peas
- Crushed red pepper
- Fresh Basil
- Dried Oregano
- Salt
- Pepper
- 1 pound jumbo macaroni
- Olive oil
- Parmesan Cheese (grated)

To Make:

In a medium pot, drizzle some olive oil and saute your onions and green pepper together. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook on medium heat, stirring frequently until they are tender.

While those veggies are sauteing, heat another pot of water on high heat until it boils. Salt the water once it's boiling and add in your pasta, cooking about 7-8 minutes until they are aldente.

Open your cans of PLAIN sauce and dump into the pot stirring everything together. Add some salt and pepper, oregano, crushed red pepper and a hand full of chopped basil.

Add some Parmesan cheese into your sauce and keep stirring. Keep on medium-low heat.

Once you pasta is done, drain, and add 2 tsp of olive oil back into the pot, then add your pasta back in, mixing with the olive oil. Mix your sauce into your pasta and stir, adding more Parmesan cheese in. Lastly, garnish with some chopped fresh basil and serve.

HAPPY EATING!