Cheesecake Factory Tomato Basil Pasta is a delicious and simple dish that can be served as an appetizer, side or even main course. This classic Italian-inspired dish is made with the freshest ingredients – tomatoes, basil, garlic, olive oil, and parmesan cheese.
Boil Water: Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add a generous pinch of salt and a drizzle of olive oil.
Cook Penne: Add the 200g penne pasta to the boiling water and cook according to the package instructions until al dente (usually about 10-12 minutes).
Drain and Set Aside: Once cooked, drain the pasta and set it aside.
Prepare the Chicken
Heat Olive Oil: In a large skillet, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat.
Sauté Garlic: Add the finely minced garlic (2 cloves) and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Cook Chicken: Season the bite-sized chicken cubes with salt and pepper. Place the chicken in the skillet and cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through.
Cook the Sauce
Add Tomatoes and Basil: In the same skillet, add the diced tomatoes, chopped basil leaves, and 1 tsp garlic powder. Stir and cook for about 2-3 minutes until the tomatoes start to soften.
Incorporate Basil Pesto: Add the ½ cup of fresh basil pesto to the skillet. Stir well to combine.
Season to Taste: Add salt and pepper to taste, adjusting the seasoning as needed.
Combine Pasta and Chicken
Add Cooked Pasta: Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet with the tomato basil sauce. Toss everything together to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce.
Add Chicken: Add the cooked chicken cubes back into the skillet and mix well with the pasta and sauce.
Add the Cheese
Stir in Mozzarella: Sprinkle the freshly grated mozzarella cheese over the pasta and chicken mixture. Stir until the cheese is melted and fully incorporated.
Garnish with Parmesan: Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top as a finishing touch.
Serve
Plate the Pasta: Serve the pasta hot, garnishing with additional basil leaves or Parmesan cheese if desired.
Enjoy: Enjoy your delicious Cheesecake Factory-inspired Tomato Basil Pasta with Chicken!
Notes
Choosing the Pasta: Penne is ideal, but feel free to use what you have on hand—rigatoni and fusilli work well too.
Cooking the Chicken: Make sure it’s cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F to ensure it’s safe to eat.
Fresh Ingredients: Use the freshest tomatoes and basil for maximum flavor.
Pesto Variations: Store-bought pesto works in a pinch, but homemade is always best.
Cheese Options: Feel free to experiment with other cheeses like goat cheese or even a mix of Italian cheeses.