This is a recreation of my husbands favorite dish from a local restaurant, The Tuscany Grill. The traditional take consists of Italian sausage, chicken and shrimp. I like to use a mix of three meats in whatever form I happen to have on hand. Usually leftover grilled chicken, lobster tail cut into bite size pieces, and Koilbasa brand sausage (garlic is my favorite), or homeade crumbled Italian sausage, mix and match per your tastes and use up the leftovers in your fridge! I often toss in lightly steamed broccoli and/or Cauliflowr for a one dish meal. Otherwise, serve with a side salad or other veggie.
If you've never tried pan fried pasta before, you are in for a treat! There's just something SO good about it!
No measurements are given here, adjust the ingredient amounts to suit your personal preferences and to serve your desired number.
Ingredients:
High quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Pre-cooked and chilled pasta (any short tubular pasta with or without ridges will work), approx. 1/4 C. per serving
Sliced Onions and chopped Red and Green Bell Peppers
Chicken breast, grilled or pan seared (cut into bite size pieces)
Sausage, casing removed, cut into bite size pieces or crumbled
Shrimp, lobster or scallops (cut into bite size pieces)
Minced garic (approx. 1 clove or 1 tsp per serving)
Additional steamed veggies if desired
Italian Seasoning (to taste)
Salt and Pepper (to taste)
Pinch of Ground Cayenne Pepper (Optional, but highly recommended)
1-2 Tbsp. unsalted butter (Optional)
In a large heavy skillet, heat oil over med to med-high heat, add pasta and fry on each side until just lightly crisp and brown. Once Pasta is just about crispy, add in the onions and peppers, sauté, reducing heat if needed, until they have softened and the onions have achieved some golden coloring. Stir in your chicken and sausage. Make a well in the center, drizzle a little bit more oil if the pan is getting dry, add in the garlic and allow it to simmer for 30 seconds before fully incorporating it with the mixture. Sprinkle your seafood of choice with a little salt, make another well in the center and place seafood salted side down in center. Brown gently, then flip over to brown other side. Sprinkel entire dish with Italian seasonings, a little salt and pepper and a pinch of ground Cayenne pepper. Stire to incorporate and allow to simmer just a few minutes to ensure all meats are heated through. Remove from heat and add butter (if using), stir to combine and melt butter. Enjoy!