Penne Rustica ~ Copy Cat Recipe Macaroni Grill

 

Copycat Macaroni Grill’s Penne Rustica

This copycat Macaroni Grill Penne Rustica tastes like a restaurant dish that can be made at home! This Italian Dinner is full of shrimp, chicken, and bacon all in a creamy sauce.
Ingredients:
Gratinata sauce:
1 teaspoon butter
1 teaspoon chopped garlic
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon dill
1/2 teaspoon chopped rosemary
1/2 cup marsala cooking wine
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
4 cups heavy cream
Penne Rustica:
1/2 ounce pancetta or bacon (I used an ounce which was 1 strip of bacon for me)
9 raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
6 ounces grilled chicken breasts, sliced (1 large breast or 2 small)
8-12 ounces penne pasta, cooked
3 Tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon chopped shallot
pinch salt and pepper
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon paprika
optional 3 sprigs fresh rosemary for garnish  

Directions:
Saute in butter, garlic, and rosemary until garlic begins to brown.
Add Marsala wine and reduce by one-third. Add remaining ingredients, reduce by half of the original volume. Set aside. 

Penne Rustica:
Saute pancetta or bacon until it begins to brown.
Add butter, shallots, and shrimp. Cook until shrimp are evenly pink but still translucent.  Add chicken, salt, pepper, and mix thoroughly. 

Add gratinata sauce and 1/4 cup parmesan cheese. Simmer until sauce thickens.

In a large bowl, combine shrimp and chicken mixture with the cooked pasta.  Pour into a large casserole dish or roaster. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup more parmesan cheese and sprinkle with paprika. 

Bake at 475 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes.  Remove and garnish with fresh rosemary sprig for garnish.