Farfalle with Mushroom Sauce & Chicken Tenders

Ingredients: For Pasta

• 8 oz. uncooked Farfalle - bow tie pasta

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 8 oz. 1/2" sliced Cremini mushrooms

• 1/4 cup chopped celery

• 1/4 cup chopped sweet pepper

• 1/4 cup chopped onion

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 1/2 tsp salt

• 1/8 tsp red pepper flakes

• 1/4 tsp pepper

• 1 tbsp fresh chopped sage

• 1/4 cup vegetable broth (or pasta water)

• 1/3 cup warm half and half

• 1/4 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese + additional for serving, optional

Ingredients: For Chicken Tenders:

• 1 lb. chicken tenders, washed and dried

• 2 tsp olive oil

• 1 tsp oregano

• 1/4 tsp ground sage

• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

• 1/2 tsp onion powder

• 1/4 tsp black pepper

• 1/2 tsp salt

• oil for cooking

1. Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt.

2. Add oil to chicken tenders along with seasonings and toss to combine. Set aside.

3. Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook celery, sweet pepper and onion for 3 minutes, stirring frequently.

4. Add mushrooms, sage, half of the salt and pepper flakes and cook on medium-high heat for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.

5. Lower heat to medium and cook garlic and black pepper for 1 minute.

6. Pour vegetable broth into pan, cook for two minutes or until liquid evaporates, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.

7. Add cooked pasta, half and half, and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and toss gently to coat. Stir in remaining salt.

8. Heat a non-stick pan and coat with a small amount of oil.

9. Place chicken tenders in hot pan and cook for 3 minutes per side. Serve with pasta.

Serves: 4

Notes&Tips:

• Farfalle is my daughter's favorite pasta, so I always have it on hand and am always finding different ways to cook it.

• This dish is simple and easy to make on those busy week nights or after a long day.

• I used Cremini mushrooms (also called Baby Bella) as I like the more earthy taste. Feel free to use your favorite mushroom or a mix of mushrooms.

• Whole milk can be substituted for the half and half or if you're going diary free, soy milk is an excellent substitute.

• If you'd like to see green in your pasta, add some sweet peas.

• This dish can be served as a vegetarian dish without the chicken tenders. Or even saute some shrimp instead of chicken tenders.