Spicy Tomato Chicken Fusilli

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, minced
• 4 cups ripe tomatoes, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped (or 1 tsp dried basil)
• 1 tablespoon oregano leaves, crushed (or 1 tsp dried oregano)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Ground red pepper or cayenne, to taste
• 8 ounces fusilli pasta, uncooked
• 1/2 pound cooked chicken breast, diced into 1/2-inch pieces (optional)

Method

1. 1 Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
2. 2 Sauté garlic and parsley until golden.
3. 3 Add tomatoes, basil, oregano, salt, and red pepper. Cook uncovered over low heat for 15 minutes, stirring frequently, until thickened.
4. 4 If using chicken, add it to the sauce and cook for another 15 minutes until heated through and sauce is thick.
5. 5 Cook fusilli pasta in unsalted water until firm.
6. 6 Spoon sauce over pasta, sprinkle with chopped parsley, and serve hot or cold.