Pasta with Bacon, Sun-Dried Tomato, and Mascarpone

Recipe Source: Kelly

Ingredients:

• 1 lb box of cavatappi or other shaped pasta
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 lb chicken breasts
• 1½ teaspoons Italian seasoning (or a mix of dried basil, oregano, and marjoram)
• 1 small onion, chopped fine
• 4 garlic cloves, chopped fine
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1½ cups sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and finely chopped
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 8oz container mascarpone cheese
• 5 oz bacon, cooked until crisp and finely chopped
• 1 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
• 1½ cups tightly packed fresh basil leaves
• salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste

Directions:

1. Cook the pasta in salted, boiling water until al dente. Drain, reserving some of the cooking water to thin the sauce.
2. Toss pasta with butter. Set aside and keep warm.
3. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Grill, pan grill, or sauté in olive oil until done. Sprinkle with ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning. Let rest until ready to serve, then slice.
4. Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil over medium heat until softened and golden.
5. Add sun-dried tomatoes and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning. Sauté for 1 minute.
6. Add mascarpone, chicken broth, and bacon. Stir until blended and mixture becomes hot and bubbly.
7. Stir in parmesan cheese until melted. Turn off heat.
8. Stir in basil.
9. When ready to serve, combine buttered pasta and sauce adding reserved pasta water to thin the sauce as necessary. Toss in sliced chicken