Macaroni Grill Pasta Milano Copycat: Crafting Creamy Chicken Pasta at Home
There’s a unique satisfaction that comes with recreating your favorite restaurant dishes right in your own kitchen. It’s not just about saving a trip out or cutting down on costs; it’s about the joy of mastering a beloved flavor profile and being able to enjoy it whenever the craving strikes. From a classic Mexican Pizza to Applebee’s famous Fiesta Lime Chicken, the world of copycat recipes offers endless possibilities. If you share this passion, you’ll find a treasure trove of Copycat Recipes already on our site, but today, we’re diving into a true gem: Macaroni Grill’s Pasta Milano.
Years ago, right after college, Macaroni Grill was a go-to spot for me. It was a place where special occasions felt a little more special, and a delicious meal was always guaranteed. Among their impressive menu, Pasta Milano always stood out as my absolute favorite. Its rich, creamy sauce, tender chicken, and savory mushrooms over perfectly cooked pasta were simply irresistible. After moving away from a town that had a Macaroni Grill, I missed that dish terribly. The good news? I’ve perfected a homemade version that captures all the magic of the original, allowing you to savor this incredible pasta dish anytime you wish. And for the ultimate experience, pair it with some warm, crispy Cheesy Garlic Bread!
Why You’ll Love This Homemade Pasta Milano Recipe
My version of Pasta Milano aims for that authentic restaurant flavor but with a slightly lighter touch, making it a fantastic option for more frequent enjoyment. While you can certainly lean into more butter and heavy cream for an ultra-rich experience like the original, my recipe balances indulgence with everyday practicality. This dish comes together incredibly fast – in about 25 minutes – making it an ideal choice for a quick weeknight dinner when you’re short on time but refuse to compromise on flavor. It’s a one-skillet wonder (after the pasta is cooked) that delivers big on taste and satisfaction, and even the leftovers are fantastic for lunch the next day.
Recreating this Macaroni Grill classic at home offers several advantages:
- Customization: Adjust the richness of the sauce to your preference. Use half-and-half for a lighter touch, or heavy cream for a truly decadent experience.
- Fresh Ingredients: You have full control over the quality and freshness of every component, from the chicken to the herbs.
- Cost-Effective: Enjoy a gourmet meal without the restaurant price tag.
- Convenience: Skip the reservations and enjoy restaurant-quality pasta in the comfort of your home in under 30 minutes.
- Memories: Bring back fond memories of dining at Macaroni Grill with every delicious bite.
Essential Ingredients for Pasta Milano
Crafting this copycat Pasta Milano requires a few key ingredients, each playing a vital role in building its signature creamy, savory, and slightly tangy flavor profile. Here’s what you’ll need to gather to bring this delightful dish to life:
- Chicken Breasts: We use boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces for quick cooking and easy incorporation into the pasta. You could also use chicken thighs for a richer flavor, but adjust cooking time accordingly.
- Olive Oil: Essential for browning the chicken and sautéing the vegetables, adding a foundational layer of flavor.
- Mushrooms: Fresh mushrooms, thinly sliced, add an earthy depth and wonderful texture to the dish. Cremini (baby bella) mushrooms work beautifully, but white button mushrooms are also great.
- Onion: Finely chopped onion provides aromatic sweetness that complements the garlic and tomatoes.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is crucial for the signature robust flavor of the creamy sauce. Don’t skimp on it!
- Sun-Dried Tomatoes: These are a star ingredient, offering intense, concentrated tomato flavor and a chewy texture that elevates the dish significantly. Choose oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes for the best flavor and moisture.
- Half-n-Half: This is my choice for a slightly lighter, yet still creamy, sauce. If you want a truly rich, restaurant-style sauce, opt for heavy cream.
- Butter: Adds a luscious richness and helps create the silky texture of the sauce.
- Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan cheese melts beautifully into the sauce, adding a salty, umami kick and contributing to the creamy consistency. Save extra for garnishing!
- Fresh Basil: A pop of fresh basil, finely chopped, brightens the entire dish with its aromatic, slightly peppery notes. It’s best added at the end to preserve its freshness.
- Pasta: While you can use any pasta shape you prefer, traditional Pasta Milano often features bowtie pasta (Farfalle). Its shape perfectly cradles the creamy sauce and bits of chicken and mushrooms. Penne, fettuccine, or rotini would also work well.
- Salt & Pepper: Basic seasonings to enhance all the wonderful flavors in the dish. Adjust to taste throughout the cooking process.
Mastering Your Homemade Pasta Milano: A Step-by-Step Guide
This Pasta Milano recipe is not only incredibly flavorful but also surprisingly simple to prepare, making it a fantastic addition to your weeknight dinner rotation. Get ready to impress your family with this one-skillet meal!
- Cook the Pasta: Begin by bringing a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add your chosen pasta (bowtie is traditional for Pasta Milano) and cook according to the package directions until it’s al dente. Al dente pasta retains a slight bite and holds up well in the sauce. Once cooked, drain the pasta and set it aside, reserving about ½ cup of the pasta water in case you need to thin the sauce later.
- Brown the Chicken: While your pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces to the hot oil and cook for approximately 5-6 minutes, or until the chicken is beautifully browned on all sides and thoroughly cooked through. Remove the cooked chicken from the pan and keep it warm on a plate, perhaps loosely covered with foil, to retain its juiciness.
- Sauté the Vegetables: Return the same skillet to the heat. There should be enough residual oil and chicken drippings to sauté the vegetables. Add the thinly sliced mushrooms, chopped onions, minced garlic, and chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the pan. Cook this mixture, stirring occasionally, until the onions become tender and translucent, and the mushrooms have released their moisture and turned a lovely golden brown, about 5-7 minutes. This step develops deep savory flavors. Season the vegetables generously with salt and black pepper to taste. Once cooked, return the browned chicken to the pan with the sautéed vegetables.
- Create the Creamy Sauce: In a separate 2-cup measuring cup or small bowl, combine the half-and-half (or heavy cream for a richer sauce), softened butter, grated Parmesan cheese, a teaspoon of black pepper, and the fresh, finely chopped basil. Whisk everything together until well combined. Pour this creamy mixture over the chicken and mushroom blend in the skillet. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, stirring constantly to ensure all ingredients are incorporated and the Parmesan cheese melts smoothly. Allow it to cook for 3-4 minutes, or until the sauce is heated through and begins to thicken slightly. If the sauce seems too thick, add a tablespoon or two of your reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Combine & Toss: Add the cooked and drained pasta directly into the skillet with the chicken and creamy sauce. Using tongs, gently toss the pasta until every strand is thoroughly coated in the luxurious sauce.
- Serve Immediately: Pasta Milano is best enjoyed fresh off the stove. Serve warm in shallow bowls, garnished with additional grated Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of fresh basil, if desired.
Perfect Pairings: What to Serve with Pasta Milano
This Pasta Milano is quite a complete meal on its own, with chicken, pasta, and vegetables all in one dish. However, if you’re looking to elevate your dining experience or simply want to round out the meal with some delicious sides, there are plenty of options that complement its rich and creamy flavors. Here are a few favorites that will turn your dinner into a true restaurant-quality feast:
- Rosemary Focaccia: The aromatic herbs and airy texture of focaccia make it perfect for soaking up every last drop of the creamy sauce.
- Simple Tossed Salad: A light, crisp green salad with a vinaigrette dressing provides a refreshing contrast to the richness of the pasta.
- Garlic Breadsticks (Copycat Olive Garden!): Warm, garlicky breadsticks are always a crowd-pleaser and an excellent companion to any pasta dish.
- Caesar Salad: A classic Caesar salad offers a delightful tang and crunch that beautifully complements the creamy pasta.
- Steamed Green Beans or Asparagus: For a simple vegetable side, lightly steamed or roasted green beans or asparagus add freshness and a touch of green without overpowering the main dish.
The satisfaction of recreating a restaurant favorite at home is truly unmatched, allowing you to enjoy these beloved dishes more often. This Pasta Milano recipe has been a staple in my kitchen for almost 15 years, ever since I discovered its magic at Macaroni Grill. It was always my go-to order, and now, being able to whip it up in just about 25 minutes brings that same joy right to my dining table. Easy pasta recipes like this are invaluable for busy weeks, offering a quick and delicious way to get dinner on the table that the whole family is sure to love.
More Irresistible Pasta Recipes to Explore
If you’ve fallen in love with the convenience and deliciousness of this Pasta Milano, you’re in luck! Pasta dishes are a fantastic way to create satisfying meals quickly. Here are a few more pasta recipes from our collection that we think you’ll adore:
- Chicken Pot Pie Noodles: All the comfort of a chicken pot pie, but in a hearty noodle dish.
- One Pot Fettuccine Alfredo with Shrimp: A creamy, decadent Alfredo made in a single pot, perfect for minimal cleanup.
- Chicken Lo Mein: Skip the takeout and make this flavorful, saucy noodle dish at home.
- Creamy Mushroom Pasta: A vegetarian delight, rich with earthy mushroom flavors in a luscious cream sauce.
- One Pan Cheesy Sausage Pasta: A family-friendly favorite, packed with savory sausage and gooey cheese, all cooked in one pan.
- Pizza Pasta Skillet: The best of both worlds – your favorite pizza flavors combined with comforting pasta in a skillet.
Pasta Milano (Copycat Macaroni Grill)
Erin Sellin
5 minutes
20 minutes
25 minutes
6
Rate Recipe
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Ingredients
-
1
pound
Farfalle, (bowtie pasta) -
2
teaspoon
olive oil
-
1
pound
chicken
, cut into bit sized pieces -
12
oz
mushrooms
, thinly sliced -
1
cup
finely chopped onion -
2
cloves
garlic
, minced -
1/2
cup
sun dried tomatoes, chopped -
1 1/2
cup
half-and-half
, or heavy cream -
1/2
cup
grated Parmesan cheese
-
1
Tablespoon
butter
-
1
Tablespoon
fresh basil
, finely chopped -
1
teaspoon
black pepper
-
1/2
teaspoon
salt
Instructions
-
Cook the pasta according to the package directions.1 pound Farfalle
-
In a large skillet heat olive oil over medium high heat. Add chicken, cook for 5-6 minutes, until chicken is cooked through. Remove from pan, and keep warm.2 teaspoon olive oil,
1 pound chicken -
Return pan to heat. Add mushrooms, onions, garlic, and sun dried tomatoes. Cook until onions are tender and the mushrooms are golden brown. Season with salt and pepper. Add chicken back to the pan.12 oz mushrooms,
1 cup finely chopped onion,
2 cloves garlic,
1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes,
1/2 teaspoon salt -
In a 2 cup measuring cup combine half-and-half, butter, Parmesan cheese, black pepper, and basil. Pour over chicken and mushroom mixture. Bring to a simmer, stirring to combine. Cook for 3-4 minutes until everything is heated through.1 1/2 cup half-and-half,
1 Tablespoon butter,
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese,
1 teaspoon black pepper,
1 Tablespoon fresh basil -
Add cooked pasta to the pan, and toss to coat.
-
Serve immediately. Top with additional Parmesan cheese if desired.
Nutrition
Calories:
623
kcal
|
Carbohydrates:
67
g
|
Protein:
30
g
|
Saturated Fat:
10
g
|
Cholesterol:
90
mg
|
Sodium:
257
mg
|
Fiber:
4
g
|
Sugar:
6
g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
Erin Sellin
5 minutes
20 minutes
25 minutes
Dinner Recipes
American
6
623
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