What is with this icky flu stuff going around? It seems like everyone I know has had it… including everyone in my family. It has been pretty awful really! After nursing myself, hubby, and kids for the last two weeks through this nasty virus, I was ready for some real comfort food.
Pasta is always comfort food for me!
This has always been one of my favorite things to eat! Ever since I worked as a waitress at Macaroni Grill in college, I have loved eating Penne Rustica.
Someone introduced me to this awesome cookbook that replicates restaurant recipes. This is where I found my beloved Penne Rustica recipe! So yummy! I have made it for big crowds as well as small family dinners… doesn’t matter, it is always a hit!
Seriously, doesn’t it look so yummy?! I love this stuff! It always impresses! This meal will go very fast at your next get together or pot luck!
Penne Rustica (Tastes just like Macaroni Grills version)
From Todd Wilbur’s Top Secret Recipes
Ingredients
1 lb penne rigate pasta
12 medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 skinless chicken breasts
½ cup thick-sliced smoked prosciutto, chopped
SAUCE
3 Tb butter
2 Tb minced garlic
3 Tb Marsala wine
2 Cups heavy cream
1 Cup grated parmesan cheese
½ Cup milk
½ Cup chicken broth
1 Tb cornstarch
1 Tb Grey Poupon Dijon mustard
2 tsp. Minced fresh rosemary (I used dried and it works just as well)
½ tsp. Salt
½ tsp. fresh thyme (I used dried)
¼ tsp. ground cayenne pepper
TOPPING
3 Tb grated parmesan cheese
1 ½ tsp paprika
***Garnish with rosemary sprigs if desired
Directions
1.Preheat grill to high.
2. Prepare sauce by melting butter over medium/low heat in a medium saucepan. Add garlic and let it sweat for 5 minutes (Do not brown garlic! If it browns throw it out and start over). Add the wine and cook for another 5 minutes. Add the rest of the sauce ingredients and whisk until smooth. Simmer for 10minutes. Cover and remove from heat.
3. Cook Pasta al dente (a little tender, but not mushy) and drain.
4. Rub chicken with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Stick the shrimp on skewers, rub them with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
5. Grill chicken for 5 to 6 minutes per side and grill the shrimp for 2 minutes per side. Slice chicken into strips when finished.
6. Preheat oven to 500 degrees. Use a large glass or ceramic baking dish. Add pasta, chicken and shrimp to the baking dish, spoon sauce over the top and toss to coat.
7. For the topping, mix the parm. cheese with the paprika. Sprinkle over the top of the pasta. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until topping browns.
About Jamie Hinckley
I am a mom of three crazy boys! We love life, play hard, and ALWAYS get messy! Life is busy and full of fun, jumping, crashing, skinned knees, rough housing, torn jeans, scratches, but most of all LOVE. Yes, life is crazy. Actually its completely nuts, but I wouldn't change a thing! We love life and can't wait for our next adventure... and one day, possibly a little girl! Haha!