Copycat Cheesecake Factory Pasta da Vinci
A rich and creamy pasta dish inspired by the famous Cheesecake Factory recipe, made with tender chicken, mushrooms, and a luscious white wine cream sauce.
- Prep25 min
- Cook35 min
- Total1h
- DifficultyMedium
- Servings8
This copycat version of Cheesecake Factory's Pasta da Vinci brings the restaurant's indulgent flavors right to your kitchen. With a creamy white wine sauce, tender chicken, and earthy mushrooms, it's a comforting and satisfying dinner.
Feel free to adjust the richness by using a lighter cream or reducing the butter. The sauce comes together quickly, and the whole dish is on the table in under an hour.
Ingredients
Servings
Converted amounts are rounded.
Method
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne according to package directions until al dente. Drain, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water, and set aside.
- While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced red onion and sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more, being careful not to let it burn.
- Add the cubed chicken and sliced mushrooms to the skillet. Cook, stirring often, for 5-7 minutes until the chicken is no longer pink and the mushrooms have released their liquid. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the chicken and mushrooms to a plate; set aside.
- Pour the white wine and beef broth into the same skillet. Bring to a simmer and cook, whisking occasionally, for 15-20 minutes until the liquid has reduced by half.
- Reduce the heat to low. Add the softened cream cheese and butter, whisking until completely melted and smooth. Stir in the half-and-half, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Return the reserved chicken and mushrooms to the skillet. Stir gently and cook over low heat for 2-3 minutes until everything is heated through.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet along with half of the grated Parmesan cheese. Toss well to coat the pasta in the sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
- Serve immediately, topped with the remaining Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of fresh parsley if desired.
💡 Tips
- Reserve some pasta water before draining; its starch helps thicken and smooth the sauce.
- For a lighter version, use half-and-half or milk instead of cream, and reduce the butter to 1/4 cup.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, let it simmer a few extra minutes before adding the pasta.
Inspired by a recipe from Taste of Home