What's For Dinner: Lemon and Garlic Pepperoni Shell Pasta

Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 1 oz box of medium pasta shells, cooked until shy of al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water.
• 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 6 oz pepperoni, thinly sliced (we used Chris Bothers pepperoni)
• 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 1 tsp fennel seeds, cracked or chopped
• Pinch of red-pepper flakes
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• ½ zested lemon
• ½ cup fresh basil
• ¼ parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat.
2. Add pepperoni and cook, stirring occasionally until crisp and brown, 3 to 4 minutes.
3. Add garlic, fennel seeds, red-pepper flakes and a large pinch of salt, and pepper.
4. Cook until garlic is lightly golden.
5. Add tomato paste and cook until it darkens.
6. Add the drained pasta, lemon zest and ¾ cup of the reserved pasta water to the skillet.
7. Add ½ cup torn fresh basil, plus more for garnish and top with grated parmesan when serving.

Chris Brothers products are available at your local grocery store.