Recipe Station

Here's everything you need for this rich and creamy pasta. This recipe makes four servings, making it the perfect meal for two kids and two adults.

Ingredients to Gather

12 ounces mafalda pasta, or any small curly pasta
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
2 chicken breast cutlets
2 medium carrots, thinly sliced
1/3 cup thinly sliced red onion
1 bunch asparagus, cut into 2-inch pieces (ends trimmed and discarded)
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 shot vodka
Salt and pepper
Parsley, for garish

Directions to Follow

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions, until it reaches al dente.

Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken on both sides with salt and pepper. Sear the chicken, covered, for 5 minutes. Flip and sear another 5 minutes, covered. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside to rest. After a few minutes, give the chicken a good chop.

Back in the skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of oil. Add the carrots and saute for about 4 minutes, until they start to soften. Add the onions and asparagus, continuing to saute another few minutes, until the asparagus is crisp-tender. Now add the garlic and saute until it becomes fragrant, about 30 seconds. Season the veggies with a pinch of salt and pepper, then reduce the heat to low.

While you're doing all of this, melt the butter in a small saucepan, and then once the butter stops foaming, add the flour. Whisk the flour in until the color of the mixture changes from a creamy color to a golden brown color. This should just take a few minutes. Next, add the milk to the mixture slowly, whisking it in over medium heat until the mixture becomes thicker and creamier. After this, add the Parmesan cheese and some salt, and the continue whisking the mixture until the cheese has melted and the sauce is creamy. Next, use a ladle to scoop out about 2/3 of the sauce and add it to a cup of cooked pasta and then toss to coat.

Now, make the kids' plates. To do this, top the pasta with chopped chicken and Parmesan cheese, and maybe a few veggies. To make the adult plates, stir a shot of vodka into the cream sauce and let it simmer a little and then use it for the adult plates. Add chicken and extra Parmesan cheese, along with some sauteed vegetables, and you're done.

Wow! These dishes look fancy but they're much easier than they appear. We love that there are two options, one for kids and one for the grown-ups, so you can make a meal the whole family will enjoy. Yum!

Article Source: Food Network