PARTNER POST — Grilling season is here and it is time to explore Italian grilling with authentic ingredients from Colavita.
An easy summer-inspired pasta dish made with mascarpone, sun-dried tomatoes, and capers for a light, fresh meal that packs in the flavor.
By Alexandra Azary
I’ve spent the past 2 1/2 weeks traipsing across Europe, seeing some pretty freakin’ fantastic sights, and eating all kinds of amazing food. I’ve come back bearing a knock-your-socks-off pasta recipe though – which is really only appropriate considering all the Italy travel that I’ve been doing lately.
I’ve been editing photos of this pasta all day long and – lemme tell you – the cravings are REAL. I made it before I left on a bit of whim, but I can’t even explain how good it turned out. There’s all this colorful fusilli pasta mixed with slices of grilled chicken, garlic, capers, mascarpone, and YES!, sun-dried tomatoes, and the combined flavor is so crazy bold and delicious. It also feels really light since its not all saucy – the mascarpone adds just the right amount of creaminess without weighing it down – so it’s perfect for summer. I like to finish it off with a drizzle of Colavita’s White Truffle Balsamic Glacé (because I’m obsessed with all things truffle), which adds just a hint of sweetness in a very non-weird way and compliments the other flavors SO well.
The best news is that it’s pretty easy to put together and basically functions as a one-dish meal. All you need is a glass of white wine and maybe a breezy outdoor patio to really complete the Italian summer vibe. Ya feel me?
Grill Like an Italian with Colavita: Fusilli with Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Mascarpone, and Grilled Chicken
An easy summer-inspired pasta dish made with mascarpone, sun-dried tomatoes, and capers for a light, fresh meal that packs in the flavor.
- Category: Main
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Ingredients
Grilled Chicken
- 5 chicken breast tenders
- Colavita Roasted Garlic Extra-Virgin Olive Oil, for brushing
- Rachael Ray Salt from the Sea (freshly ground), for seasoning
- Rachael Ray Malabar Black Peppercorns (freshly ground), for seasoning
Pasta:
- 11 ounces Colavita Tricolor Fusilli
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons Colavita Roasted Garlic Extra-Virgin Olive Oil, divided
- 4 ounces (1/2 cup) mascarpone
- 2 1/8 ounces (1/4 cup) Colavita Sun-dried Tomatoes, chopped
- 2 1/8 ounces (1/4 cup) Colavita Capers
- 1/4 teaspoon Rachael Ray Salt from the Sea (or to taste)
- Colavita White Truffle Balsamic Glacé, for drizzling
- Rachael Ray Malabar Black Peppercorns (freshly ground), for serving
Instructions
Grilled Chicken
- Place chicken breast tenders in a large zip-top bag, press out excess air, and seal. Use a meat tenderizer to lightly pound to even thickness.*
- Transer chicken to a tray or large casserole dish. Brush with oil and season with salt and pepper. Flip and repeat on opposite sides. Let chicken sit while preheating grill to medium-high heat.
- Grill chicken for about 3-4 minutes on each side, just until cooked through (the internal temperature should read 160ºF.) Slice before adding to pasta.
Pasta
- In a large pot, bring about 5 quarts of water seasoned lightly with salt to a rapid boil.
- Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a medium-large fry pan over medium-low to medium heat. Add garlic and sauté until turning golden (about 3-4 minutes). Remove from heat.
- Add fusilli to pasta water, stir, and boil for about 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until al dente (cooked, but on the firm side). Strain water from noodles and transfer to pan with garlic.
- Add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, mascarpone, sun-dried tomatoes, capers, salt, and sliced chicken to pasta. Place over medium-low to medium-heat and toss together until well-combined and hot. Remove from heat.
- Serve immediately, with a drizzle of balsamic glacé and freshly ground pepper.
Notes
*You can skip this step if your tenders are already even in thickness, but otherwise it’s helpful in order to ensure even cooking.
Great recipe
Looks amazing. Look forward to trying this. Thanks for sharing.
★★★★★
Hi Alexandra,
Looks gorgeous, that’s my plan for the girlfriend’s birthday this weekend.
Hopefully I can do it justice.
Dan
★★★★★