Breaking trends at the beginning of the year, I recently went on a chocolate and cheese shopping spree. With all the hard work I had done a week ago to clean up my refrigerator on account of the house move, I decided to buy myself some New Year presents. When was the last time I had seen an empty refrigerator! It took me no time to fill it up.
Mascarpone has always been my favourite. Other than the various interpretations of Tiramisu that I keep trying out from time to time, my favourite way of using it is by dolloping it on grilled fruits. And adding it to pasta. The flavour and creaminess that it adds is like none other. So with a handful of ingredients I made this very quick pasta meal for our lunch.
I have used store bought smoked chicken breast to reduce work. It can be substituted with leftover barbecued chicken, canned Tuna, Prosciutto, Bacon, Smoked salmon or even home cooked chicken breasts. If you are using fresh chicken breast fillets, season them and shallow fry them 4-5 minutes on each side until cooked through. Then slice into pieces.
Chicken, Roasted Tomato and Mascarpone Pasta (adapted with variation from this recipe)
Serves 4
500 g cherry tomatoes, halved (keep a few aside for garnish)
2 garlic cloves sliced
2 rosemary sprigs, leaves chopped
salt and pepper, to season
2 tbsp. olive oil
300 g Fettucine /tagliatelle/spaghetti (I have used fettucine)
200 g mascarpone cheese
1 store bought smoked chicken breast, sliced into pieces
1 cup baby spinach leaves
a few cherry tomatoes, to serve
flat leaf parsley, to serve
shaved parmesan, to serve
cracked pepper to serve
Preheat the oven to 200 degrees C. Place the tomatoes (leaving aside a handful for garnish) in a roasting pan with the garlic and rosemary. Season well with salt and freshly ground black pepper, drizzle with the oil and roast for 15-20 minutes until tender.
Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a saucepan of boiling, salted water according to the packet instructions. Reserve half a cup of the cooking liquid, drain the pasta and return to the saucepan.
Gently combine the roasted tomatoes and the mascarpone in a large bowl to make a creamy sauce. Add the sauce to the pasta and toss well. If the sauce is too thick for your liking, add the reserved cooking liquid. Then gently fold through the chicken and baby spinach until just wilted. Scatter over the remaining Cherry tomatoes and parsley leaves. Garnish with the shaved parmesan and sprinkle with cracked pepper. Serve immediately.
Triple Yum. Its so good Sonali. The only thing I do with mascarpone is as you said, for cheese cake. It’s expensive over here and I feel like I am buying and paying for gold. I think I’ve probably bought maybe twice in my entire life.
Ahhh!! I also see parmesan cheese for this pasta. The colors are so vibrant and alive. The type of food we eat is totally different over here. Pasta is only when we dine out. At home, its loads of rice and Asian noodles.
Chocolate and cheese is my kind of shopping!! Add the bakery to that trip and we’re all set!
This pasta looks gorgeous and I love the light, fresh flavours!
Hope the settling in has gone alright for you and that you are truly home now. By the seaside sounds wonderful!
Chicken, roasted tomatoes, and mascarpone pasta? Whoa!!!! I could eat the whole thing and ask for more…
Wow, this pasta dish look awesome…like the roasted chicken and the creamy mascarpone…
Happy New Year and enjoy your week 😀
The name of the dish is intriguing. Never thought of adding Mascarpone to pasta. Very refreshing for a pasta dish.
Happy New Year! Here’s to more fabulous dishes.
I love mascarpone cheese. So delicious… makes everything creamy taste a whole lot more indulgent 🙂 This is a great take on classic flavours Sonali, love the addition of smoked chicken breast (yum!!). Definitely going to try this xx
A long time ago, I didn’t appreciate mascarpone but then I started having it on pasta dishes at restaurants and realized how versatile it is in not only baking but cooking. Your pasta looks so creamy & delicious. I love the pairing with some acidity of the roasted tomatoes. I love to do the same and use it as a very quick pasta sauce.
I’m so glad that the internet allows free info like this!
I love eating pasta. But I do not know great ways of making it. I have friends and family and I like to give them shock with special recipes.