Penne Rustica Macaroni Grill Copy Cat Recipe #Cheese #Recipe (2024)

Penne Rustica Macaroni Grill Copy Cat Recipe #Cheese #Recipe (1)Penne Rustica Casserole Recipe

Myfriend Lauriegave me this copy cat recipe about 12 years ago for Penne Rustica atMacaroniGrill. I changed it up a bit, for example I do not put shrimp, pimentos, shallots or wine in mine. But here is the way my family has been eating it the last 12 years. Matt loves it, I should make it more often… plus it feeds a large group. We always have left over for the next day or two.

Penne Rustica Macaroni Grill Copy Cat Recipe #Cheese #Recipe (2)

Gratinata Sauce:

  • 2 Tablespoon butter
  • 2 Cloves garlic minced
  • 1 Tablespoon Dijon Mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon chopped rosemary
  • 2 cups white grape juice (can use Marsala wine)
  • 1/4 teaspoon Cayenne pepper (I use black pepper)
  • 6 cups heavy whipping cream ( or you can use whole milk, but sauce will be MUCH thinner)

In a large stock pot, bring water to boil and cook on box of Penne Pasta 14-16 oz , cook to package directions.

In a large sauce pan heat butter, garlic and rosemary for a minute on medium heat. Then add the rest of the ingredients in, stir on medium heat till it comes to a boil. Make sure you stir it so the cream does not scald. Boil for 5 minutes, sauce will thicken. Take off heat and set aside.

Penne Rustica Macaroni Grill Copy Cat Recipe #Cheese #Recipe (3)

In a large skillet cook 2-3 strips of bacon, cut into small bits (or you can use Pancetta). Once it gets crispy take out of the pan, and set aside…. but leave bacon drippings in pan.

In the same pan you cooked the bacon in, add 1/3 cup minced onions, 2 large chicken breast cut into thin strips, season with 1/2 teaspoon paprika, pinch of salt and pepper. Once the chicken has started to brown and has a nice color, add 6 Tablespoons butter. (At this point if you want to add 18 shrimp peeled and deveined, cook till pink but still translucent… cause you will cook them again in the oven)

Once Chicken in fully cooked add the Gratinata Suace (that you made earlier) and 1 cup Culinary Circle Parmesan Cheese. Bring it all back up to a boil, and cook for 1 minute.

Add your Penne Noodles and sauce with the chicken into a LARGE greased baking dish OR bake it in TWO 9/13 pans… yes it makes a lot.

Then top with 1 cup grated Parmesan, crumbled bacon and a dash of salt and pepper.

Bake at 450 for 10-15 minutes. Take out of oven and let stand for 5-10 before serving. Serves 6-12 people (depending on serving size)

Penne Rustica Casserole Recipe

Penne Rustica Macaroni Grill Copy Cat Recipe #Cheese #Recipe (4)

Penne Rustica Macaroni Grill Copy Cat Recipe #Cheese #Recipe

Penne Rustica Macaroni Grill Copy Cat Recipe #Cheese #Recipe (5)

  • Gratinata Sauce:
  • 2 Tablespoon butter
  • 2 Cloves garlic minced
  • 1 Tablespoon Dijon Mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon chopped rosemary
  • 2 cups white grape juice (can use Marsala wine)
  • 1/4 teaspoon Cayenne pepper (I use black pepper)
  • 5 cups heavy whipping cream (or you can use whole milk, but sauce will be MUCH thinner)
  • Other Ingredients needed:
  • 2-3 strips of bacon chopped
  • 2 large chicken breast sliced thin
  • 6 Tablespoon butter
  • 1/3 cup minced onions
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 cup Culinary Circle Parmesan Cheese (found in the specialty cheese bin at Albertsons)
  • pinch of salt and pepper
  • optional 18 Shrimp Peeled and Deveined (or I use Italian sausage instead)
  • 1 box of Penne Pasta 14-16 oz (before you cook)
  1. In a large stock pot, bring water to boil and cook on box of Penne Pasta 14-16 oz , cook to package directions.
  2. In a large sauce pan heat butter, garlic and rosemary for a minute on medium heat. Then add the rest of the ingredients in, stir on medium heat till it comes to a boil. Make sure you stir it so the cream does not scald. Boil for 5 minutes, sauce will thicken. Take off heat and set aside.
  3. In a large skillet cook 2-3 strips of bacon, cut into small bits (or you can use Pancetta). Once it gets crispy take out of the pan, and set aside…. but leave bacon drippings in pan.
  4. In the same pan you cooked the bacon in, add 1/3 cup minced onions, 2 large chicken breast cut into thin strips, season with 1/2 teaspoon paprika, pinch of salt and pepper. Once the chicken has started to brown and has a nice color, add 6 Tablespoons butter. (At this point if you want to add 18 shrimp peeled and deveined, cook till pink but still translucent… cause you will cook them again in the oven)
  5. Once Chicken in fully cooked add the Gratinata Suace (that you made earlier) and 1 cup Culinary Circle Parmesan Cheese (found in the specialty cheese bin at Albertsons) . Bring it all back up to a boil, and cook for 1 minute.
  6. Add you Penne Noodles and sauce with chicken into a LARGE greased baking dish OR bake it in TWO 9/13 pans… yes it makes a lot.
  7. Then top with 1 cup grated parmesan, crumbled bacon and a dash of salt and pepper.
  8. Bake at 450 for 10-15 minutes. Take out of oven and let stand for 5-10 before serving. Serves 6-12 people (depending on serving size)

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Penne Rustica Macaroni Grill Copy Cat Recipe #Cheese #Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why did Macaroni Grill go out of business? ›

The company closed 37 unprofitable locations in a bid to turn a profit. Mac Grill could not convince some landlords to renegotiate leases, so the landlords filed lawsuits and the company had to file for bankruptcy protection.

How many calories are in Penne Rustica? ›

There are 1060 calories in 1 serving of Romano's Macaroni Grill Penne Rustica. * The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet.

What is the controversy with Macaroni Grill? ›

The lawsuit alleges Macaroni Grill stopped paying rent, is in default and owes a little over $94,000 for unpaid rent and related fees.

Do macaroni grills still exist? ›

Romano's Macaroni Grill is a casual dining restaurant chain specializing in Italian-American cuisine. As of April 2024, the company operates 31 locations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah.

Is penne pasta high in calories? ›

A 1-cup serving of penne pasta has about 200 calories, and boasts several important nutrients. Penne pasta is similar to the other types of pasta when it comes to calories and nutrition.

How many carbs are in a pizza rustica? ›

Emilia Pizza Rustica (1 serving) contains 66g total carbs, 66g net carbs, 11g fat, 16g protein, and 430 calories.

How many calories in a bowl of pasta with cheese sauce? ›

Macaroni and cheese is typically high in calories, containing 300–500 calories per serving. It's also high in sodium with 600–1,200 mg per serving.

What is replacing Macaroni Grill in Annapolis? ›

A Miller's Ale House will be opening in the same space as the shuttered Romano's Macaroni Grill in Annapolis. The restaurant is located near the Westfield Annapolis Mall. A national sports-themed restaurant chain is opening its first Annapolis location next week, adding to its two other Maryland locations.

Who is the CEO of Macaroni Grill? ›

“It's been important for me to build a company that creates opportunities for our employees,” said Nishant Machado, CEO of the Denver-based casual-dining company that took on the doing-business name of Dividend Restaurant Group earlier this fall, in an interview.

Did the Macaroni Grill close in Ann Arbor? ›

Romano's Macaroni Grill has closed all its Michigan locations, including the Briarwood-adjacent one on S. State St. Loaded down with debt by two successive private-equity owners, the fast-casual Italian chain filed for bankruptcy protection in 2017, closing thirty-seven of its locations.

Is Macaroni Grill owned by Brinker? ›

Restaurants. Brinker International owns, operates, and franchises the Chili's Grill & Bar, Maggiano's Little Italy and It's Just Wings restaurant concepts. They also have a minority stake in Mac Acquisition LLC, the owners of Romano's Macaroni Grill as of 2008.

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