Pasta with Asparagus

Recipe Directions

¼ cup olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
5 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
2 to 3 dashes hot pepper sauce
1 pound fresh asparagus, cut into 1 ½-inch pieces
Salt to taste
¼ teaspoon black pepper
8 ounces mini penne pasta, cooked and drained
¼ cup shredded or shaved Parmesan cheese

Heat oil and butter over medium heat in a 12-inch skillet. Add garlic, red pepper flakes and hot pepper sauce and cook 2 to 3 minutes. Add asparagus, salt and pepper. Cook until asparagus pieces are crisp-tender when pierced with the tip of a sharp knife, about 4 to 8 minutes, depending on the size of the spears.

Pour hot, drained pasta into a serving bowl. Pour asparagus mixture and Parmesan cheese over pasta; mix well, tossing to coat the pasta with the sauce. Serve at once.