Canadian Bacon Bow Ties

Ingredients

• 1 lb bow tie pasta, prepared
• 2 lbs Canadian bacon
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium red onion, diced
• 1 bunch fresh green onion, chopped
• 1 large red bell pepper, diced
• 3 sprigs fresh basil
• 3 sprigs fresh rosemary
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 tablespoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 4 tablespoons capers

• 1 (8 ounce) box frozen green peas
• 14 cherry tomatoes, quartered
• 1/2 cup monterey jack pepper cheese
• 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

Directions

1. 1

   Prepare pasta according to instructions on box.

2. 2

   Spread olive oil in a large skillet and heat over medium for about 1 minute.

3. 3

   Chop canadian bacon in bite-sized pieces. Add canadian bacon, red onion, fresh green onions (with green part attached) and bell pepper in skillet and cook over medium heat 8-10 minutes until peppers start to soften.

4. 4

   Stir in basil, rosemary, cilantro, black pepper, red pepper flakes, capers and peas. Stir until well blended.

5. 5

   During last 3 minutes of cooking, stir in tomatoes.

6. 6

   Pour cheeses over top, cover, turn off heat and let sit for 2-3 minutes until cheese is melted.

7. 7

   Pour cooked pasta into large bowl and pour canadian bacon mixture over pasta.

8. 8

   I sprinkle additional parmesan cheese and fresh basil over top before serving. This was a huge hit. I served it with a really nice salad, homemade balsamic vinagrette, fresh garlic rolls, red wine and served chocolate espresso pudding in phyllo cups for dessert.