Search Results: macaroni

Granny’s Macaroni Salad

Granny’s Macaroni Salad

Every family probably has a Macaroni Salad recipe. And if not, you can always buy some at your grocery store deli. Our recipe comes from my husband’s side of the family. Granny’s Macaroni Salad was one of the first recipes I nabbed from her.

Easy Macaroni and Cheese

Easy Macaroni and Cheese

My mom used to make Easy Macaroni and Cheese for me when I was a girl. As a mom, I made it for our girls, and now I make it for our grandchildren.

Cheesy Corn and Macaroni Casserole

Cheesy Corn and Macaroni Casserole

Cheesy Corn and Macaroni Casserole is a favorite recipe from the Oehlert side of our family. It’s quite good for church dinners or family gatherings. Continue reading Cheesy Corn and Macaroni Casserole

John Wayne Venison Casserole

John Wayne Venison Casserole

Our family loves John Wayne movies, so when I discovered this dish, adapted from an actual recipe that John Wayne submitted for a cookbook, I had to try it. This John Wayne Venison Casserole is perfect for your next potluck dinner. It always goes over 

Weekend Fish Fry

Weekend Fish Fry

One of our favorite ways to celebrate summer is to host a Weekend Fish Fry for our family. So, when our freezer has an abundance of freshly caught and frozen fish, it’s time to start planning. Below are some of our favorite recipes for preparing 

Beer-Battered Fried Fish

Beer-Battered Fried Fish

This Beer-Battered Fried Fish recipe is perfect for a weekend fish fry. Use it with your favorite fish, whether bass, catfish, crappie, or walleye. Cornmeal and simple seasonings gives it a crispy, flavorful crust to compliment the tender, freshwater fish. Continue reading Beer-Battered Fried Fish

Cheesy Mexican Pasta

Cheesy Mexican Pasta

Cheesy Mexican Pasta is a mix between my recipes for Easy Macaroni and Cheese and Goulash. I find myself craving it all year round and enjoy it most warmed up for lunch. Our youngest grandson likes it, too!

Grilled Chicken with Chili Sauce

Grilled Chicken with Chili Sauce

Try Grilled Chicken with Chili Sauce the next time you want to grill. This is a quick and easy recipe, perfect for weeknight meals.

Three Cheese Chicken Cavatappi

Three Cheese Chicken Cavatappi

Three Cheese Chicken Cavatappi is a recipe I conjured up based on an entree from Applebee’s Restaurant that I ate one time. Tender fried chicken pieces layered over a pile of cheesy pasta and topped with a delicious-tomato basil topping. It’s easy enough for a weeknight dinner, yet has enough “wow-factor” for a weekend meal with guests. 

Three Cheese Chicken Penne

Years ago, I made this dish using Penne pasta. And then I fell in love with Cavatappi. I simply adore the look and taste of Cavatappi in a cheesy dish such as macaroni and cheese, or a cheesy goulash, or one such as this recipe.

De Cecco Cavatappi Pasta

I’m of the opinion that the look of pasta effects the taste of a dish! Right or wrong, I don’t know. But that’s how it seems to me.

 

Ingredients to Make Three Cheese Chicken Cavatappi

  • chicken breast strips or skinless boneless thighs
  • creamy Italian dressing

Three Cheese Pasta

  • Cavatappi pasta (I like De Cecco)
  • Your favorite Alfredo sauce (I like Bertolli)
  • Mozzarella cheese
  • Provolone Cheese
  • Fresh Parmesan
  • whole milk

Tomato Basil Topping

  • extra virgin olive oil
  • sweet onion
  • red bell pepper
  • minced garlic
  • canned petite diced tomatoes
  • dry red wine
  • granulated sugar
  • dried basil
  • Italian herb seasoning
  • kosher salt
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • red pepper flakes

 

Instructions for this Recipe

Gather all your ingredients so that you have everything close at hand on the counter or table.

 

Prepare your Ingredients for Chicken Cavatappi

Using a cutting board and sharp knife, slice chicken breast strips (or chicken thighs) into 1/2″ pieces.

With a box grater, shred the Mozzarella and Provolone cheese. Grate fresh parmesan with a fine grated zester.

Preparing the Ingredients for Tomato-Basil Topping

On a second cutting board, chop the sweet onion and red bell pepper. Mince the garlic.

It’s a good practice to use a second cutting board when preparing meats (especially chicken) and vegetables to eliminate the spread of bacteria. I use color-coded plastic boards for meats and my wooden cutting board for everything else. 

Cook the Chicken

In a large skillet, sear chicken pieces in 3-4 tablespoons of vegetable oil, cooking for 5-6 minutes before turning. Continue cooking until pieces are golden brown, 10-12 minutes.

Stir in the Italian dressing and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Remove the chicken pieces from the skillet and keep warm.

 

Make the Pasta

In a medium saucepan add the Cavatappi pasta to boiling water with 2 teaspoons kosher salt. Cook to al dente according to package directions, 6-8 minutes.

Drain the pasta in a colander and then return to the saucepan.

Pour Alfredo sauce over the cooked pasta. Heat on low heat until the sauce begins to boil.

I like using Bertolli Alfredo Sauce for this recipe. It’s quick and very good. If you feel motivated to make your own, go ahead. Try my Homemade Alfredo Sauce Here. 

Adding the cheese to the pasta

Remove from heat and add shredded Mozzarella and Provolone cheese and the grated Parmesan. Mix well with a long-handled wooden spoon. Cover and allow for the cheese to melt 5-7 minutes.

If the cheesy pasta seems too thick, you may add up to 1/4 cup of whole milk to make it creamier.

 

Tomato-Basil Topping

While the pasta cooks, return to the large skillet and heat olive oil over medium heat. Saute the chopped sweet onion and red bell pepper, and minced garlic until tender.

Tomato-Basil Topping for Three Cheese Chicken Cavatappi

Add in the petite diced tomatoes, dry red wine, granulated sugar, dried basil, Italian herb seasonings, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Simmer until most of the juice is gone, 7-10 minutes.

To serve, place generous amount of cheesy pasta on each plate. Layer with chicken and a large spoonful of tomato-basil topping.

Serving Pasta with Salad

This recipe will serve 6-8 people. I like to serve this dish with a nice green salad and Soft Breadsticks.

Wine Recommendation: Kendall-Jackson Vitner’s Reserve Chardonnay

See more Main Dishes Here. Browse Pasta Dishes Here.

Recipe for Three Cheese Chicken Cavatappi

Three Cheese Chicken Cavatappi

Here's a delightful recipe I conjured up based on an entree from Applebee's. Can you say YUM?
5 from 1 vote
Print Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Keyword: Alfredo Sauce, Cavatappi Pasta, Chicken Breast, Mozzarella, Parmesan Cheese, Provolone
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 6

Equipment

Knife Set
Cutting Board
Grater/Zester
Stainless Colander

Ingredients  

  • 3 tablespoons Extra Virgin olive oil
  • 1.5 pounds chicken strips or skinless boneless chicken thighs sliced into 1/2" pieces
  • 1/3 cup creamy Italian dressing

Three Cheese Pasta

  • 16 oz. Cavatappi Pasta
  • 15 oz. Alfredo sauce
  • 4 oz. Mozzarella shredded
  • 4 oz. Provolone shredded
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan
  • 1/4 cup whole milk if needed

Tomato-Basil Topping

  • 3 tablespoons Extra Virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 cup sweet onion chopped
  • 1/3 cup red bell pepper chopped
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 10 oz. canned petite diced tomatoes
  • 1/3 cup dry red wine
  • 2 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon Italian herb seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Instructions

  • Gather all your ingredients so that you have everything close at hand on the counter or table. Prepare your ingredients.
    Using a cutting board and sharp knife, slice chicken strips or chicken thighs into 1/2" pieces.
    With a box grater, shred the Mozzarella and Provolone cheese. Grate fresh parmesan with a fine grated zester.
    On a second cutting board, chop the sweet onion and red bell pepper. Mince the garlic.

Prepare the Chicken

  • In a large skillet, sear chicken pieces in 3-4 tablespoons of vegetable oil, cooking for 5-6 minutes before turning. Continue cooking until pieces are golden brown, 10-12 minutes.
  • Stir in the Italian dressing and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Remove the chicken pieces from the skillet and keep warm.

Make the Pasta

  • In a medium saucepan add the Cavatappi pasta to boiling water with 2 teaspoons kosher salt. Cook to al dente according to package directions.
    Drain the pasta in a colander and then return to the saucepan.
  • Pour Alfredo sauce over the cooked pasta. Heat on low heat until the sauce begins to boil.
  • Remove from heat and add shredded Mozzarella and Provolone cheese and grated Parmesan. Mix well with a long-handled wooden spoon. Cover and allow for the cheese to melt 5-7 minutes.
  • If cheesy pasta seems too thick, you may add up to 1/4 cup whole milk to make it creamier.

Tomato-Basil Topping

  • While the pasta cooks, return to the large skillet and heat olive oil over medium heat. Saute the chopped sweet onion and red bell pepper, and minced garlic until tender.
  • Add in the petite diced tomatoes, dry red wine, granulated sugar, dried basil, dried Italian herb seasonings, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Simmer until most of the juice is gone, 7-10 minutes.
  • To serve, place generous amount of cheesy pasta on each plate. Layer with chicken and a large spoonful of tomato-basil topping. Garnish with fresh basil, if desired. Serves 6-8.

Notes

Wine Recommendation: Kendall-Jackson Vitner's Reserve Chardonnay

Nutrition

Calories: 897kcal | Carbohydrates: 70g | Protein: 50g | Fat: 44g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 154mg | Sodium: 1617mg | Potassium: 854mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 809IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 407mg | Iron: 3mg
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Slow-Cooked Barbecued Pork Sandwiches

Slow-Cooked Barbecued Pork Sandwiches

Try these Slow-Cooked Barbecued Pork Sandwiches when you’re going to be away from your kitchen but want something delicious to serve to your family for supper.