Macaroni Grill

Macaroni Grill is a popular Italian-American restaurant chain known for its flavorful pasta dishes, grilled meats, and fresh salads. While dining at Macaroni Grill can be a delicious experience, you can also recreate some of their dishes at home with the right ingredients and techniques.

One of Macaroni Grill's signature dishes is Penne Rustica, which features penne pasta in a creamy sauce with chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese. Here's a step-by-step recipe to help you make this dish at home:

Ingredients:

1 pound penne pasta

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 pound chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped

1/2 cup green onions, chopped

4 tablespoons butter

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

2 cups heavy cream

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions:

• Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

• Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces and season with 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of black pepper, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes. Cook until the chicken is no longer pink, about 7-8 minutes.

• Add 1/2 cup of chopped sun-dried tomatoes and 1/2 cup of chopped green onions to the skillet and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.

• In a separate saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Whisk in 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until the mixture is golden brown.

• Slowly pour in 2 cups of heavy cream while whisking constantly. Continue to whisk until the mixture thickens and comes to a simmer.

• Reduce the heat to low and stir in 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese until fully melted and incorporated.

• Add the chicken mixture to the saucepan and stir to combine.

• Add the cooked penne pasta to the saucepan and stir until fully coated with the sauce.

• Transfer the pasta mixture to a large baking dish and sprinkle with 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.

• Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

• Garnish with 1/4 cup of chopped fresh parsley before serving.

This Penne Rustica recipe is a delicious and satisfying dish that captures the flavors of Macaroni Grill's signature Italian-American cuisine. By following these step-by-step instructions, you can enjoy this restaurant-quality dish in the comfort of your own home.