Penne Pasta - a Gracepoint Fellowship classic!

Quick Look_______________

This recipe is a classic at Gracepoint Fellowship Church in Berkeley. Maybe you had it one time during small group and wondered how to make it.

• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Cook time: about 45mins
• Difficulty: intermediate/easy - make sure you coat everything evenly. It's difficult to toss 30 portions worth of pasta.
• Labor Intensity: Could do it alone, but it'd help to have 1-2 people.
• 30 servings, adjust by 1.5x if your group tends to eat multiple servings.

Ingredients_______________

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 16 large garlic cloves, finely chopped (about 2-3 bunches) [$1 maybe?]
• 4 cup chopped drained oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes [34 oz jar, $8 at San Leandro Costco, or 24oz (6cups) at smart and final $12 ]
• 1 quart heavy whipping cream [$5 at safeway, $6 for 2 qt (1/2 gallon) at Costco] (you can use half & half as a healthier option)
• 1 tablespoon dried crushed red pepper
• 2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves (or 1/3 cup dried basil) [$3-4 at safeway]
• 6 pound penne pasta [4lbs for 4.99 at smart and final on International st]
• 8 cup [2lbs] sliced (don't use grated) Parmesan cheese [2lb for $8.19 at smart and final on International]
• 8-10lb boneless chicken breast or thigh [$16-$20 when on sale at safeway]
• [Optional] a few red bell peppers
• Total: somewhere around $45.00-$50.00

Directions_______________

• Place a pot of water on the stove to boil in a large stock pot
• Chop chicken into 1/2 inch x 1 inch strips
• Drain sun dried tomatoes and cut into 1/2 inch slices, discard oil or use in next step.
• Heat olive oil in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat.
• Add garlic; sauté 1 minute.
• Add tomatoes, cream, sliced red bell peppers and crushed red pepper; simmer over medium heat 2 minutes.
• Stir in basil and turn to low heat and simmer.
• In another pan, cook the chicken. When moisture comes out of the chicken, drain it out of the pan. Make sure there is a little oil in the pan so the chicken doesn't stick. Fully cook the chicken.
• Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. [about 8-9 minutes, but follow directions on pasta box]
• Drain, reserving 1 cup pasta cooking liquid in another bowl.
• Pour pasta into aluminum tray(s).
• Add cream sauce, cheese, and chicken and toss to coat.
• Add enough reserved cooking liquid to pasta to moisten if dry.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Tom's Tips and Tricks_______________

A box of pasta will suggest 8 servings per pound. In real life, a pound of pasta will feed 5-6 college students.
Pasta should be about 90% cooked before draining. When the sauce is added, the heat will cook it a little more. I personally like it about 95% cooked, with a slight firmness (al dente). One way you can check for doneness is by biting into the noodle. The center of uncooked noodles will be white and look raw. I like when it has just a hint/speck of that or just barely beyond.
This volume of pasta will be difficult to toss in a pot. It's easier to toss all the pasta and coat with sauce in an aluminum tray with large, strong tongs or spatulas/serving spoons. You can also serve in the aluminum tray.
[Possible side dish] Garlic bread, salad